LeBron closes in on 40K as Lakers survive Wizards in OT

LeBron closes in on 40K as Lakers survive Wizards in OT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis had 40 points and 15 rebounds, LeBron James added 31 points and Los Angeles extended the Washington Wizards’ losing streak to 13 games with a 134-131 victory Thursday night.

James shifted the momentum permanently in the Lakers’ favor early in overtime when the 21-year veteran followed up his athletic block of Jordan Poole’s layup attempt by hitting a tying 3-pointer of his own with 3:12 to play. James then got his ninth assist on Davis’ dunk on the Lakers’ next possession, putting the Lakers ahead to stay.

James is now nine points shy of becoming the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 after this grinding win for Los Angeles, which was already weary after rallying from a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Clippers on Wednesday night.

 

“We had to get some stops, and we had to execute offensively,” James said. “Not turn the ball over. It’s a tough league, and after last night’s victory, we had to come in against a young, scrappy team that’s not playing for much, just playing hard, a lot of speed, a lot of youth, and obviously it took us 53 minutes to get the job done.”

Despite a perpetually balky ankle that forced him to miss two games around the All-Star break, James returned to the court against Washington just a night after his 19-point fourth quarter against the Clippers.

The 39-year-old James is all but certain to hit his 40,000-point milestone Saturday on national television against defending champion Denver.

D’Angelo Russell scored 22 points for the Lakers, who never managed to pull away during their ninth victory in 12 games. Los Angeles hasn’t been able to move higher than ninth in the Western Conference despite its impressive February.

“We’re in a race right now, and we’re continuously just trying to get better, work on ourselves and get healthy,” Davis said. “And while doing it, staying in the fight, staying in the hunt.”

Poole scored a season-high 34 points and Marvin Bagley III added a season-high 23 for the Wizards, who are three losses shy of matching the longest skid in franchise history despite this encouraging effort against the Lakers.

Washington missed five straight shots and made two turnovers down the stretch in overtime, going scoreless in the final 3:50.

“I thought it was great,” Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. “We talked about playing closer to 48 minutes of basketball consistently, and I thought our guys played 53 minutes tonight. We played the whole game. … Our guys played hard, consistent, shared the ball, did the things we were asking the whole game. Just didn’t get the win.”

Former Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma scored 20 points, but missed a tying 3-point attempt with eight seconds left in overtime. Corey Kispert also had 20 points for Washington.

The Wizards led for most of the first three quarters, and they rallied from an eight-point deficit in the fourth. Washington led 126-124 with 43 seconds left in regulation after Poole drained his fifth 3-pointer of the night, but Austin Reaves tied it for LA with a fadeaway jumper.

Poole missed a 31-footer at the regulation buzzer.

“I’m proud of our guys, just for the way we at least closed the game,” Poole said. “We fought. … Good look (to end regulation). Look I wanted. Just a little bit off to the left. I’d shoot it again.”

D’Angelo Russell scored 22 points for the Lakers.

Wizards rookie Bilal Coulibaly missed his second straight game with a bruised right pelvis, but Deni Avdija returned from a three-game absence with a bruised left heel.

Cam Reddish missed the second half for the Lakers after playing four minutes in the first half. He only returned Wednesday from a five-week absence due to an ankle injury, and coach Darvin Ham said he had soreness in his ankle.

UP NEXT

Wizards: At Clippers on Friday night.

Lakers: Host Denver on Saturday night.

___

You can view the original article HERE.

Elon Musk Goes After Jennifer Lopez for Not Warning People About Diddy
Elon Musk Goes After Jennifer Lopez for Not Warning People About Diddy
N.Y. Assemblyman Introduces ‘Peanut’s Law,’ Says Investigation Request Ignored
N.Y. Assemblyman Introduces ‘Peanut’s Law,’ Says Investigation Request Ignored
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2 Releases on Max This Month
Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2 Releases on Max This Month
Nothing Left to Prove: Quincy Jones (1933-2024) | Tributes
Nothing Left to Prove: Quincy Jones (1933-2024) | Tributes
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
Kneecap to headline alongside CMAT, English Teacher and more
Kneecap to headline alongside CMAT, English Teacher and more
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Mahomes, Chiefs keep undefeated season alive with OT win on MNF
Mahomes, Chiefs keep undefeated season alive with OT win on MNF
The 3 Biggest Scandals in Sports History
The 3 Biggest Scandals in Sports History
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Scavengers Reign Season 2 Gets New Trailer, Despite Netflix Cancellation
Scavengers Reign Season 2 Gets New Trailer, Despite Netflix Cancellation
The End Trailer Arrives for 2024’s Most Audacious Film
The End Trailer Arrives for 2024’s Most Audacious Film
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Editor’s Pick: Mulberry Pimlico Satchel
Editor’s Pick: Mulberry Pimlico Satchel
Banana Republic’s Holiday Campaign, Burberry’s Stock Rises
Banana Republic’s Holiday Campaign, Burberry’s Stock Rises
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel