LeBron James was on fire at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as his 30 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists in less than three quarters, led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 133-89 blow out win over the New Orleans Pelicans in the West semifinals of the In-Season Tournament.
The 39-year-old was perfect from downtown, shooting 4/4 from the three-point line, and 8-of-8 on free throws. He missed only three of his 12 shot attempts and managed zero turnovers in 23 minutes of action as the Lakers set up a clash with the Indiana Pacers in the final of the In-Season Tournament.
30 points in 23 min & 4/4 from three. Bron came to PLAY. pic.twitter.com/V56OZV5QJg
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 8, 2023
He made history by becoming the first player in NBA history with 30+ points, 5+ assists, & 5+ rebounds in under 23 minutes.
“I think we are starting to get a feel for what we need to become a team for us to win basketball games, to be consistent,” James said after Lakers dronf defensive showing held Pelicans to 35.8% shooting.
“Defensively, we’re really, really starting to tap into that like, OK, we’ve got to defend every single night. When we defend, we give ourselves a chance to win every night.”
Add it to the books — LeBron is the first player in NBA history with 30+ points, 5+ assists, & 5+ rebounds in under 23 minutes ???? pic.twitter.com/2mLGtzEqt5
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 8, 2023
Anthony Davis scored 16 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and contributed five assists, two steals, and two blocks in the Lakers rout of the Pelicans.
Austin Reaves added 17 points and 7 assists off the bench; Taurean Prince scored 15 points and shot five 3s; and D’Angelo Russell (14 points) and Rui Hachimura (12 points) combined for 26 points.
Heading to the In-Season Tournament FINALS ????️ pic.twitter.com/D0OYz3fmED
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 8, 2023
Trey Murphy III led New Orleans with 14 points off the bench; Zion Williamson, who began the game looking hot, eventually cooled off and managed just 12 points; and Herb Jones finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Pelicans were in front after the first quarter, leading 30-29, but James, who looked in inspiring form in front of a packed crowd, did what he has done for the past 20 seasons of his career—put on a classic show for the fans. He opened the second quarter by scoring the Lakers’ first 11 points, including a stretch of three made 3s to put them up 40-33.
By halftime, he had 21 points on 7-of-9 shooting and was already on the bench halfway through the third quarter, as Los Angeles were in a very commanding lead.
The Lakers improved to 14-9 for the season and are unbeaten in the in-season tournament. They are currently on a run of three consecutive wins, and head coach Darvin Ham praised his side for their focus, aggressiveness, and unselfishness during the span of these games.
“It’s a beautiful thing to see this early,” Ham said. “I think the intensity that this tournament brings reveals that because it’s not just a regular-season game. It doesn’t feel like that.
“The stakes are way higher and you see people in those delicate moments what they are truly made of, at least the beginning stages.”
???? THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS SET ????
One game to decide who wins the #NBACup!
The Pacers and Lakers will meet in the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament Championship Saturday at 8:30pm/et on ABC! pic.twitter.com/qMfkX9WPrN
— NBA (@NBA) December 8, 2023
James and the Lakers will take to the court in the T-Mobile Arena once more when they battle the Pacers for the inaugural NBA Cup this Saturday.
