Austin Reaves secured the Lakers’ thrilling victory over the Warriors with a decisive layup just one second before the final buzzer. This nail-biting finish came after Stephen Curry made a remarkable 31-foot 3-pointer to tie the game with only seven seconds left. LeBron James showcased his skills with 31 points and 10 assists in his NBA-record 19th Christmas Day game, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 115-113 triumph on Wednesday night.
Curry was a standout performer, scoring 38 points and sinking eight 3-pointers, including a crucial shot from the baseline under pressure with just 12 seconds remaining. He had previously hit another long-range shot with 2:49 left, but James quickly responded with a deep three of his own.
Reaves not only contributed to the victory but also achieved a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. This win came despite the Lakers losing Anthony Davis to a sprained left ankle late in the first quarter.
Takeaways
Lakers: D’Angelo Russell was sidelined due to a sprained left thumb. Meanwhile, center Jaxson Hayes participated in some 3-on-3 drills against the coaching staff, marking progress in his recovery from a sprained right ankle that has kept him out since mid-November.
Warriors: Golden State faced their 11th loss in 14 games. Draymond Green received his eighth technical foul late in the second quarter, putting him halfway to an automatic one-game suspension after reaching 16.
Key moment
A pivotal moment occurred when Curry calmly drained a 3-pointer while being closely guarded by James at the 10:59 mark of the second quarter. Just 17 seconds later, James answered back with a deep shot of his own, showcasing the competitive spirit between these two superstars.
This Christmas matchup added to their storied rivalry, as both players have previously clashed on this holiday in 2015, 2016, and 2018 during the NBA Finals.
Key stat
Curry became the seventh player in NBA history to make at least 11 starts on December 25, joining legends like James, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Dwyane Wade, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, James celebrated his 11th win on Christmas Day, surpassing former teammate Wade’s record.
Up next
The Golden State Warriors will face off against the Clippers on Friday night, while the Los Angeles Lakers return to their home court to host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
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