The Los Angeles Lakers will face the New Orleans Pelicans in the semifinals of the league’s inaugural In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas after coming out on top of the Phoenix Suns 106-103 at Crypto.com Arena.
LeBron James put up 31 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists and five steals for Los Angeles becoming the first Lakers since Magic Johnson to hit those marks and the oldest player in league history to do so.
Anthony Davis finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks whilst Austin Reaves had 20 points and six rebounds off the bench with 13 coming in the third.
A strong opening frame saw the Lakers jump out to a double-digit lead early which grew to as high as 15 in the second thanks in large part to Phoenix’s inability to take care of the basketball.
A 12-0 rally to start the third saw the Suns surge right back into the contest before both teams traded haymakers in the final quarter.
An Austin Reaves three with 15 seconds remaining gave the Lakers a four-point lead which nearly evaporated after a Kevin Durant layup and subsequent turnover only for the officials to grant Los Angeles a dubious timeout.
Anthony Davis split a pair of free throws and Durant had a chance to send the game to overtime at the buzzer but his three-point attempt failed to hit the rim as the Lakers pulled off a crucial win.
The Lakers dominated the offensive glass (21 to 8) and the paint (54 to 44) whilst scoring 25 points off 20 Suns turnovers.
Phoenix were superb from three (12-of-25) and shot far better from the field (49.3 per cent vs. 37.3 per cent) but fell just short of keeping their In-Season Tournament hopes alive.
Durant (31 points, 12-of-17 shooting) was sensational for the Suns whilst Grayson Allen (21 points, 4-of-8 threes) proved valuable as well.
It proved a mixed night for Devin Booker who finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists but committed seven turnovers and hit on just six of his 16 shot attempts.
The Lakers will now play the Pelicans in Las Vegas on Friday with the winner advancing the In-Season Tournament Final.
