DAVID BRANDT, Associated Press
7 hours ago
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker warms his hands on the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX (AP) — LeBron James looked like an aging veteran for a few seconds Friday night, limping around the baseline and clutching his lower left leg after being fouled in the first quarter.
The moment was fleeting.
James scored 32 points, D’Angelo Russell had 19 and the Los Angeles Lakers ended a three-game losing streak, beating the Phoenix Suns 122-119 in Game 1 of the NBA In-Season Tournament for the two teams.
“It was good to finally get over the hump at this early stage of the season,” James said. “We played from behind in a lot of our games and we weren’t able to take the lead. It was a good feeling.
The 38-year-old turned in another vintage, age-defying performance in his 21st season, shooting 11 of 17 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3. He added 11 rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.
Kevin Durant led the Suns with 38 points and Bradley Beal added 24, including 20 in the first half. Devin Booker missed his fourth straight game with a right calf strain.
Austin Reaves made a layup with 9:25 remaining — part of a 14-0 run — to give the Lakers their first lead of the second half at 97-96. Reaves added a few mid-range jumpers in the fourth to help Los Angeles stay in the lead.
Cam Reddish had 17 points, including a corner 3 off a pass from James that put the Lakers up 118-113 with 1:10 to play. Los Angeles grabbed three offensive rebounds at the position before Reddish fired a shot.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham made a change in the starting lineup, starting Reddish and bringing Reaves off the bench. Both had good games and Reaves was still a vital part of the rotation, playing 35 minutes and closing out the game.
“It was a good team win,” Ham said. “A lot of what we saw in the second half has to be our identity.
James limped back after being fouled in the first quarter, clutching his lower left leg. The 19-time All-Star said he took a knee to his shin and received medical treatment on the bench before returning for the start of the second quarter.
He looked good the rest of the evening, helping orchestrate the comeback. Los Angeles shot 9 of 17 (53%) from 3-point range in the second half.
Durant scored 15 points in the third quarter as the Suns held a single-digit lead. Reddish hit a 3 at the buzzer to cut Phoenix’s advantage to 96-89 heading into the fourth.
“They kind of controlled the game from there,” Durant said. “The momentum shifted in their favor when they started knocking down threes.”
Los Angeles’ Anthony Davis returned after missing a game with a hip injury and had 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Beal – making his home debut for the Suns – made a layup in traffic at the halftime buzzer to give the Suns a 63-55 lead after leading by as many as 14. James had 19 points at halftime.
FOLLOWING
Lakers: Host Portland on Sunday night.
Suns: Host Oklahoma City on Sunday night.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
