LeBron James delivered an impressive performance with 32 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to break a three-game losing streak with a 122-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Kevin Durant showcased his skills for the Suns, scoring a game-high 38 points in the in-season tournament opener for both teams.
Despite Durant’s efforts and the Suns leading 96-89 at the end of the third quarter, the Lakers mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter with an 11-0 run, securing the lead and ultimately the win. Anthony Davis, returning from a hip injury that caused him to miss Wednesday’s game against Houston, contributed 18 points for the Lakers.
This victory marked the Lakers’ first road win in six attempts. Both teams now hold a 4-5 record for the season, with the Suns playing without Devin Booker (calf) for the seventh time in eight games. In the broader context of the NBA’s new in-season tournament, Friday featured a total of nine games.
Luka Doncic starred with 44 points on 17-of-21 shooting as the Dallas Mavericks dominated the Los Angeles Clippers with a 144-126 victory. Kyrie Irving added 27 points for Dallas, bringing their record to 7-2. The Philadelphia 76ers continued their winning streak with a seventh consecutive victory, as Joel Embiid’s 33 points and 16 rebounds secured a 114-106 win against the Detroit Pistons.
Jaylen Brown’s 28 points propelled the Boston Celtics to end a two-game losing streak with a 121-107 home victory against the Brooklyn Nets, complemented by Jayson Tatum’s 23 points. In spite of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s impressive 54-point performance, the Milwaukee Bucks were defeated by the Indiana Pacers.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Minnesota Timberwolves to their fifth straight win, overcoming the San Antonio Spurs 117-110, despite Victor Wembanyama’s 29 points. Fred VanVleet’s late three-pointers powered the Houston Rockets to a 104-101 comeback win against the New Orleans Pelicans, overcoming a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
Mark Williams’ 21 points and career-high 24 rebounds guided the Charlotte Hornets to a 124-117 victory over the Washington Wizards.
In other matchups, the Sacramento Kings secured a 105-98 home win against the Oklahoma City Thunder, while the Utah Jazz recovered to win 127-121 at the Memphis Grizzlies.
Source: BBC Sports
