LeBron James saved the Lakers with a buzzer-beating tip-in, securing a 120-119 win over the Pacers and extending his record double-digit scoring streak to 1,283 games. The 40-year-old superstar downplayed his record streak in his postgame statements.
LeBron James entered the fourth quarter on Wednesday night with his historic double-digit scoring streak in jeopardy. By the final buzzer, he had once again cemented his legacy.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
35
|
| Luka Doncic | |
| Points | 34 |
| Accuracy | 11-21 |
| Rebounds | 7 |
| Assists | 7 |
The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star delivered a dramatic game-winning tip-in to lift Los Angeles to a 120-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers. His last-second heroics not only secured the win but also extended his NBA record to 1,283 consecutive games with double-digit points.
But for James, it wasn’t about the milestone.
“It’s whatever it takes to help your teammates win,” he said after a replay review confirmed the basket. “I can do other things to impact the game. That’s the beauty of my game. I’ve always built it to be three-dimensional, getting my guys involved, rebounding, defending, and sprinkling some points in here and there.”
James finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, but for much of the game, the Pacers seemed poised to finally break his legendary streak. Through the first three quarters, he had just three points on 0/6 shooting. Analysts dug into the record books, checking his lowest single-game point totals and recalling his last single-digit game 0 an eight-point outing on January 5, 2007.
Meanwhile, Indiana was mounting a furious comeback from a 17-point deficit. But just when the Pacers appeared ready to take control, James responded.
“Obviously, I know I can score the ball,” James said. “But until we find a little rhythm offensively, the defensive side is the most important for our team.”
He opened the fourth quarter with back-to-back baskets in the first minute, then added two free throws and a driving layup to push the Lakers ahead 105-92 with 9:30 to play.
LeBron James
| Team: |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| Position: | SF |
| Age: | 40 |
| Height: | 203 cm |
| Weight: | 113 kg |
| Birth place: | Akron, United States of America |
Still, Indiana kept fighting, and Tyrese Haliburton’s 3-point play with 42.2 seconds left gave the Pacers a 119-118 lead.
With time running out, Luka Doncic launched a midrange jumper that bounced off the rim. Then, in a moment that will be replayed for years, James soared in for the tip-in at the buzzer.
“I was just trying to read the ball off the rim,” James explained. “It looked a little short, but I knew it had a chance to bounce in. Once it came out, I just wanted to tap it with enough time. I kept looking at the Jumbotron to see if I got it off in time, and it was a good play for us.”
For the Pacers, it was another frustrating chapter in their long-standing rivalry with James, who has eliminated them from the playoffs four times, twice with Miami and twice with Cleveland.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever been walked off in the NBA,” said Haliburton, who spoke with James after the game. “It was obviously a great play by a great player.”
Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.
