LeBron James had 31 points and 10 assists in his NBA-record 19th Christmas Day game, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 115-113 on Wednesday night, and Austin Reaves made the game-winning layup with one second remaining after Stephen Curry tied it with a 31-foot 3-pointer with seven seconds left.
Curry made eight three-pointers to score 38 points, including one under pressure from the baseline with 12 seconds left and another with 2:49 left, both of which James answered from a long distance.
Late in the first quarter, the Lakers lost big man Anthony Davis due to a sprained left ankle, but Reaves finished with a triple-double of 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Lakers: Due to a sprained left thumb, D’Angelo Russell was sidelined. Center Jaxson Hayes, who has been out since mid-November due to a sprained right ankle, played some 3-on-3 against the coaching staff.
Warriors: It was Golden State’s eleventh defeat in 14 games. Late in the second quarter, Green received his eighth technical, bringing him halfway to the 16-point threshold that would automatically result in a one-game suspension.
At 10:59 in the second quarter, Curry coolly sunk a 3-pointer with James racing directly at him, and 17 seconds later, James made a long-range shot.
Following their matchup in the NBA Finals between the Warriors and James’ previous Cavaliers, the two superstars also squared off on Christmas in 2015, 2016, and 2018.
On December 25, Curry joined James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant as the eighth player in NBA history to record at least 11 starts.
On December 25, James broke the holiday record held by former colleague Wade with his 11th victory.
The Lakers will entertain Sacramento at home on Saturday, while Golden State will travel to the Clippers on Friday night.
___
https://apnews.com/NBA is the AP NBA.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.