LeBron James Tossing Age Again and Scores 42 When Lakers beat Warriors

The energy flowed from Lakers, LeBron James’ teammates, who placed an imaginary crown on his head after scoring nine points on three shots over 38 seconds in the second quarter.

It was a statement, the game’s leading scores that put on a show while his future partner, Luka Doncic, saw from the bench in his first performance in front of Lakers fans in his new home.

The building shook on Thursday when Lakers led the Golden State Warriors with as many as 26 points in the first half, the team continued a basketball stretch, where it looked out of a championship athlete.

But energy is fun – it doesn’t take much for it to change.

Austin Reaves couldn’t make a jumper fall. Substituts like Moses Moody and Pat Spencer, the latter, who only played because Warrior’s decimated their depth in a deal for Jimmy Butler, began to score. Draymond Green began to jaw and annoy, push Jarred Vanderbilt on a possession and pull Gabe Vincent into the first row of another.

If Warriors were to lose the game, they would at least try to win the match.

But they ended up with none of them.

Warriors tested Lakers and cut the 26-point led to five with less than four minutes left. Stephen Curry, whom Lakers had held mostly during wrapping early when they built their lead, got hot and the game was tight.

But James’ sixth three-point-his-his only of the second half-gave lakers just enough space to survive in a 120-112 WinA game where they never withdrew and never completely lost their calm.

“Whenever you go against Daymond – every time you go against Daymond – you know (there is) will be some leisure activities,” James said. “So you have to be ready for it and you have to lift better before the game. And yes, you know it will happen. “

The pillow that Lakers (30-19) played with largely came from James, who was big most of the game after being almost perfect in the first half. He made his first five triangles on his way to turn 40, the oldest player to score 40 points and grab at least 15 rebounds. He ended with 42 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists.

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1. Lakers’ Gabe Vincent, Left, passes in front of the Golden State’s Gary Payton. 2. Laker’s guard Luka Doncic stands on the field before a win over Warriors Thursday. 3. Golden State Star Stephen Curry scores in front of Lakers star LeBron James. 4. Golden State star Stephen Curry is celebrating after shooting a three-point. 5. Luka Doncic, Left, and LeBron James laugh on the bench. (Wally scale / Los Angeles Times)

James joins Michael Jordan Like the only players who scored 40 in an NBA game after turning 40 years old.

“I’m old. That’s what I think, ”James said. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep. That’s the first thing, I think. “

More help is coming soon. Doncic is likely to debut Monday against Utah. Lakers’ Trade for Charlotte Hornets Center Mark Williams was advertised after the victory.

“I’ve got really good feedback over the years on his character and his intelligence level, and I’ve seen him develop and just a big fan of his,” Laker’s coach JJ Redick said of Williams. “Did little – yes, did a lot of leg work in preparation for an interview that never happened to Hornets last year. So I was very familiar with him. And just feel that he is a really good fit for now and he is a really good fit for the future. “

Laker’s tip shaken Vanderbilt, to the left, is tangled with warriors forward Kevon Looney as he fought for a rebound in the first half.

(Wally scale/Los Angeles Times)

Lakers got enough from their supportive role and won for the 10th time in 12 games. While Reaves fought from the field and missed all nine of his triangles, he made 15 of 16 from the line and also hit a key basket of late to help cool Warriors’ comeback. He ended with 23 points.

Vincent added 15, with Curry, leading Warriors (25-26) with 37 points while they needed 35 shots. Vanderbilt grabbed a season high 14 rebounds in 21 minutes from the bench.

James said he can see the vision of Lakers’ new list, and he doesn’t think that incorporating Doncic, in particular, will be a problem.

“The challenge is – I don’t really see a challenge. Everyone comes on the right spots. Keep each other in charge. Play basketball in the right way. Share the ball, ”James said. “The ball will be in Luke’s hands. It will be in AR’s hands. Two major decision makers. It will also be in my hands. Another big decision maker. And then our guys will party of it. I mean it’s a beautiful thing. “