Lakers and James defeat the Suns

2023.12.06

In an exciting match on Tuesday, LeBron James scored 31 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Phoenix Suns 106-103 and go on to the NBA’s in-season tournament semifinals.

In an exciting match on Tuesday, LeBron James scored 31 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Phoenix Suns 106-103 and go on to the NBA’s in-season tournament semifinals.

With his customary clutch play in the fourth quarter, James scored 15 points to lead the Lakers to victory and set up a Thursday final-four matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans in Las Vegas.

In the second quarterfinal on Tuesday, the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New York Knicks 146-122 to progress to the semi-finals. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard combined for 63 points in the victory.

But without a doubt, the game of the night took place in Los Angeles, where James and the Lakers prevailed in a legendary fashion by holding off a fierce comeback from Kevin Durant and the Suns in the second half.

The Lakers controlled the first half, leading 59-47 at the intermission with a 12-point advantage.

However, the Suns stormed back in the third quarter, defeating the Lakers 35–24 to tie the game going into the fourth quarter.

But the 38-year-old James was determined to see the game through, and he used his scoring prowess to lead the Lakers to victory.

In the final fifteen seconds, Austin Reaves made a fantastic three-pointer to give the Lakers a four-point lead.

After Durant botched a last-ditch try to beat the buzzer to force overtime, he was able to close the deficit to two points with a reverse layup.

Regarding his brutal fourth-quarter performance, James remarked, “I’ve been there a lot in my career and I understand the assignment.”

“I was happy I was able to make a couple of plays, but the big shot came from AR (Austin Reaves) to take us up by four… that was big-time.”

James ended with 12 of 25 shots for 31 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds. While Reaves scored 20 points in a brilliant cameo from the bench, Anthony Davis added 27 points and 15 rebounds.

With 31 points, Durant led the Phoenix in scoring, while Devin Booker and Grayson Allen combined for 21 points apiece to lead the Suns.

@charith