In a thrilling encounter, LeBron James showcased his veteran prowess by scoring 31 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 106-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament.
The win secured the Lakers a spot in the semi-finals, where they will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.
James, at 38, delivered a standout performance, sinking 15 points in the fourth quarter. Reflecting on his crucial role, James stated, “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.”
The Lakers dominated the first half, establishing a 59-47 lead at halftime. However, Durant’s impressive 31-point contribution kept the Suns in contention. James’ exceptional performance in the final quarter proved pivotal in securing the Lakers’ advancement to the next stage of the tournament.
In another quarter-final clash on Tuesday, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to a convincing 146-122 victory over the New York Knicks.
Antetokounmpo, 29, scored 35 points and registered 10 assists and eight rebounds, setting up a semi-final showdown with the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
Antetokounmpo acknowledged the growing chemistry with teammate Damian Lillard, who contributed 28 points, stating, “Game by game we are getting more comfortable. As we play more minutes, we’re going to be more comfortable together. At the end of the day, I think me and him are setting the tone for the whole team.”
Source: BBC Sports
