Lakers top Kings, cruise to best start in 14 years
LeBron James had 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Anthony Davis became the first Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2005-2006 to open the season with three straight 30-plus-point games as Los Angeles rode a fourth-quarter surge to down the visiting Sacramento Kings, 131-127, on Saturday, October 26 (Sunday, October 27, Manila time).
Los Angeles (3-0) came into the game looking to extend the franchise’s longest unbeaten start since the 2010-2011 Lakers went 8-0.
De’Aaron Fox knocked down a pair of three-pointers to close the third quarter and send the Kings into the final period with a seven-point lead.
The Lakers then went on a 21-0 run to open the fourth quarter.
James scored 16 of those points on a variety of shots, including three triples.
The other 5 points in the pivotal run came on a Dalton Knecht three-pointer to open the scoring and a Jaxson Hayes dunk before 5 more points by James gave Los Angeles a 108-94 lead with 8:23 left in the fourth.
"It's actually insane." ????
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2024
Coach Redick on LeBron's continued greatness after his 16-point 4th quarter outburst ???? pic.twitter.com/OebQeN6bby
But Sacramento battled back, outscoring the Lakers, 29-17, to cut the deficit to 2 points in the final minute.
DeMar DeRozan scored 13 of his 23 points during that stretch, which was capped by Malik Monk’s layup with 55.7 left that trimmed Los Angeles’ lead to 125-123.
Davis answered with a three-pointer to push the Lakers’ advantage to 128-123.
After Domantas Sabonis and Rui Hachimura traded dunks, Fox hit a layup with 11 seconds left to cut the Kings’ deficit to 130-127.
Davis hit one of two free throws and Gabe Vincent stole the ball from Fox on the final possession to seal the win — Los Angeles’ first against the Kings since January 2023.
All five Lakers starters scored in double figures. Hachimura had 18 points and 9 rebounds, and Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell each scored 16 points.
Knecht added 10 points off the bench.
Sabonis — who registered 26 triple-doubles last season — led Sacramento with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Fox scored 28 points in the loss, and Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter and Monk each finished with 14 points.
A vintage LeBron game in the @Lakers 3rd straight win:
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2024
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– Rappler.com