LeBron James’ triple-double helps Los Angeles Lakers end skid against Sacramento Kings
The Kings have had their way with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in recent years, but not this time.
James fueled a huge fourth-quarter run and the Kings couldn’t stop the onslaught in a 131-127 loss to the Lakers on Saturday night before a sellout crowd of 18,997 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
James recorded his first triple-double of the season and the 142nd of his career, posting 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists to help the Lakers (3-0) remain undefeated. He had 16 points on 6-of-6 shooting with five rebounds and six assists during the decisive fourth quarter.
“LeBron was kind of LeBron,” Kings center Domantas Sabonis said. “He went off and did his thing and we were careless with the ball on the other side.”
The Kings had won eight of their last nine and 12 of 16 against the Lakers, including a four-game series sweep last season.
James was asked about his team’s recent struggles against the Kings.
“They definitely have been pretty good over the last year or so,” James said. “Obviously, it’s on your mind. You want to match up with certain teams in the West and you want to see where you stand. They’re super well coached. They have a lot of foot speed, a lot of guard play. ... De’Aaron Fox and Malik (Monk), now (DeMar) DeRozan, he’s making plays as well. Sabonis has the ball at the top of the key, can get in the paint (and) cause havoc, too, so we just try to try to put some pressure on them as well as they put pressure on us and see where we stand.”
Kings coach Mike Brown was disapointed with the outcome but encouraged by certain aspects of his team’s performance.
“It’s a tough loss,” Brown said. “I thought our guys did some good things. That first half, especially, I thought we came out, we really got some great looks. The guys moved the ball. The spacing was beautiful. The ball just didn’t go in. (If) we keep playing like that offensively, good things will happen.”
Sabonis had 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for the Kings (0-2). Sabonis posted his 59th career triple-double to tie Larry Bird for 10th on the NBA’s all-time list.
Fox had 28 points and 10 assists. DeRozan added 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting with two big 3-pointers to help Sacramento rally in the final minutes. Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter and Monk scored 14 points apiece.
Anthony Davis had 31 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura posted 18 points and nine rebounds. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves scored 16 points apiece.
Davis credited James for his fourth-quarter performance.
“When you think he’s slowing down, he continues to show the world why he’s the greatest,” Davis said. “To go that stretch, you know, he actually looked at the bench trying to come out of the game, and we told him not to come out, and here comes another 3. He never seems to amaze any of us because we know what he’s capable of and what he’s able to do. His game and the work he puts in speaks for itself. To come out and give us that energy we need in the fourth quarter, he carried us, and then the rest of the guys came in to finish it. It was fun to watch.”
The Kings went 3 of 11 from the field and 0 of 7 from 3-point range to start the game, prompting Brown to call a timeout with his team trailing 14-6. The Kings got within two following back-to-back 3-pointers from Huerter. They trailed 28-26 at the end of the first quarter despite going 3 of 13 from beyond the arc.
Los Angeles started the second quarter with a 12-0 run to take a 40-26 lead on a jumper by James. The Lakers went up by as many as 15 before the Kings came back to cut the deficit to one on a 3-pointer by Murray with 45.1 seconds to play in the first half.
Los Angeles led 64-60-at the halftime break. Sacramento went up 67-66 on a basket by Sabonis early in the second half and led 94-87 at the end of the third quarter, but that’s when James took control.
The NBA’s all-time scoring leader poured in 16 points in a span of 2:59 to fuel a 21-0 run as the Lakers opened up a 108-94 lead with 8:23 to play. The Kings stormed back to get within two on a breakaway layup by Monk with 55.1 seconds remaining, but Davis answered with a big 3-pointer, essentially ending Sacramento’s comeback hopes.
DeRozan, who came to Sacramento in a three-team sign-and-trade deal over the summer, played a huge role in the comeback. He scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including two big 3-pointers.
“He sensed that we needed a bucket, and he went to get some buckets for us to get us right back in the game,” Brown said.
LeBron’s longevity
James, who will turn 40 on Dec. 30, is beginning his 22nd season since coming out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School as the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA draft. The four-time NBA MVP has appeared in 287 playoff games, the equivalent of 3 ½ seasons NBA seasons, winning four NBA championships along the way.
“Guys his age are playing at the rec,” Fox said. “What he’s done in this league throughout his entire career has been amazing, and what he’s doing now in Year 22 will probably never be replicated.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick was almost at a loss for words.
“What can you say?” Redick said. “We’ve all been very fortunate to watch his greatness for so long, and the fact that he’s able to keep doing it, it’s actually insane.”
About 90 minutes before tipoff, arena workers were still scrambling to get the building ready for basketball after hosting a hockey game earlier in the day.
The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Utah Hockey 3-2 in a game that started at 1 p.m. The Sacramento Kings and Lakers were still waiting to take the floor shortly before 6 p.m., about an hour later than they would normally begin warmups for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Brown didn’t seem too concerned.
“We got off the bus and there were a couple fans behind the rope that had on a Utah shirt, and I was trying to think if the Jazz played here after us,” Brown said. “... Whatever’s going on out there, we’ve got to deal with it and the Lakers have to deal with it, but it was interesting to see the fans out there with the Utah shirts. I’m thinking it’s the Jazz, but it’s the Utah hockey club.”
Sacramento Kings schedule
Oct. 28 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Oct. 29 at Utah Jazz
Nov. 1 at Atlanta Hawks
Nov. 2 at Toronto Raptors
Nov. 4 at Miami Heat
This story was originally published October 26, 2024 at 11:00 PM.
