Printable Page
12/07 22:23 CST LeBron James' vintage performance leaves Philly crowd in awe
LeBron James' vintage performance leaves Philly crowd in awe
By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer
PHILADELPHIA (AP) --- LeBron James doesn't silence the crowd when he hits the
road, he raises fans to their feet in exhilaration and gets them roaring in
appreciation --- as he did down the stretch in Philadelphia --- for the clutch
shots that could be the last they see in person as retirement speculation
swirls.
The 76ers, well, they could have done without James throwing his game back to
his prime.
In his first game since his NBA record double-digit scoring streak ended, James
not only hit that mark in the first half, but he also scored 10 straight points
in the fourth quarter in the decisive stretch that sent the Lakers to a 112-108
victory over the Sixers on Sunday night.
James scored 29 points on 12-of- 17 shooting in a vintage performance that
belied the fact the aging All-Star has battled injuries that curtailed his
summer workouts and cost him the start of the season. He sat out Friday against
Boston with sciatica, which kept him sidelined for the first 14 games this
season, and left foot joint arthritis.
The brief time off after James' double-digit streak ended Thursday at Toronto
helped him work through his injuries and get him healthy --- healthier, at
least --- in time to face Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers.
"I'm still not 100% but I felt a lot better tonight than I did coming out of
the Toronto game," James said.
James' 10 point-run in the fourth went like this: a long 2, a 3-pointer,
another 3 that snapped a tie with 1:12 left and a 20-foot fadeaway that made it
110-105 and put the game away.
"It never gets old," James said. "That's the one thing you won't be able to get
back when you're done playing. That arena. That excitement of going out, the
boos, the cheers, whatever the case. So do it in a win, it's even more
important. That's what I hope, I'll come up clutch in a win. That's even more
exciting."
James could use some excitement in a season that Lakers have so far
successfully navigated without much of his presence. James, who will turn 41 on
Dec. 30, played 36 minutes in the Lakers' 123-120 win over Toronto on Thursday
night. The game saw the end of James' streak of 1,297 double-digit scoring
games when the NBA's career points leader finished witheight points.
By his own description, he's not in rhythm yet, after missing the entire
preseason and all but seven games of the regular season with an injury.
"I've never not started a basketball season in my life since I started when I
was 9 years old," James said. "When the season started, I was ready to go. It
was definitely challenging to me mentally just sitting on the bench. Not being
able to practice with the guys, not being able to get the reps in with the
guys. Definitely challenging. I understand it's a process and I've always fell
in love with the process more than anything."
James wasn't the only returning star for the Lakers.
Luka Doncic was back after he missed the last two games as he traveled to his
hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia where fiancee Anamaria Goltes gave birth to
their daughter, Oliva
Doncic ripped off a triple-double with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists.
"Understood that traveling from a different country back here, with a newborn
can be very taxing on you, not only mentally but physically," James said.
Lakers coach JJ Redick has two children with his wife, Chelsea, said before the
game he hoped Doncic would have enough energy to play after the long trip.
"We do know there was some travel involved to a different continent," Reddick
said. "We're hoping he's himself today."
Doncic --- who leads the league with 35.3 points in his first full season with
the Lakers --- was mostly himself, though the five-time All-Star didn't have a
sharp shooting touch but still played 39 minutes.
"Luka clearly with all the travel he's had this week wasn't necessarily at his
best scoring the basketball," Redick said. "Still did a lot of great stuff for
us. LeBron was our connector tonight."
He was the difference for the Lakers and easily outplayed his fellow 2024 Paris
Games gold medalist in Embiid (missed 17 of 21 shots overall; 0 for 6 on 3s).
James may play another season. He may call it quits at the end of this season.
Either way, the Philly crowd of 20,431 sure showed their appreciation for a
game when James came up big in big moments.
"I do think it's important to be reminded every now and then of what you're
capable of," Redick said.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
|
