The Los Angeles Lakers considered this game against the Oklahoma City Thunder a must-win game. The Lakers had been skidding, losing their last four games. If the Lakers would have lost this game against OKC, they would have dropped to a .500 record overall. Lakers Head Coach Darvin Ham made a new starting lineup change moving forward. LeBron James has been moved to the starting Point Guard position. Jarred Vanderbilt was moved into the starting lineup and D’Angelo was moved to coming off the bench. The Lakers got the win over OKC, 129-120. LeBron James spoke highly about the Lakers win postgame.
“Everyone was making shots and everybody was passing the ball,” James said. “We were trying to keep it on time, on target, and not turn the ball over. That was the key to it.”
LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 40 points, a season-high for him. James hit his 40 on 13-for-20 shooting. He hit 5-for-5 from the three-point line. James hit 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. James also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out seven assists, recorded two steals, and recorded two blocks. James also spoke about his individual performance postgame.
“To know I can go out and still make game-winning plays, can affect the game in multiple ways, and can still close out a game in the fourth quarter when our team needed when they started making a run is always a good feeling for sure,” James said.
More Lakers Contributions
- Anthony Davis scored 26 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished out seven assists, recorded a steal, and recorded two blocks.
- Taurean Prince scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out an assist, and recorded two blocks.
- Rui Hachimura scored 21 points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out two assists, and recorded a steal off the bench.
- D’Angelo Russell scored 15 points and dished out three assists off the bench.
- Austin Reaves scored 11 points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out nine assists.
The Los Angeles Lakers face the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day in Los Angeles. Tip-off from Crypto.com is at 5 p.m. Eastern/ 2 p.m. Pacific and the game will air nationally on ABC.
