LeBron James, Lakers stun Clippers with late rally

Field Level Media|published: Thu 29th February, 24:54 2024

Feb 28, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center Mason Plumlee (44) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. credits: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James scored 19 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter and Anthony Davis finished with 20 points and 12 rebounds as the visiting Los Angeles Lakers overcame a 21-point deficit in the final period to pull off a 116-112 victory over the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.

D'Angelo Russell scored 18 points and Rui Hachimura added 17 as the Lakers defeated the Clippers for the third time in four games and won the season series between the teams for the first time since 2011-12. The Clippers had won 11 consecutive meetings entering this season.

James shot 7 of 12 from the floor in the fourth quarter, 5 of 8 from 3-point range. He was 2 of 4 from long distance over the first three quarters. James outscored the Clippers by three points in the final period.

The comeback came as the teams played the final regular-season game against each other as co-tenants of Crypto.com Arena, formerly Staples Center. The team have shared the building since 1999-2000. The Clippers are set to move to the new Intuit Dome in nearby Inglewood, Calif., next season.

Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and James Harden added 23 as the Clippers lost for the fifth time in their past eight games. Leonard had the chance to tie the game with seven seconds remaining, but his shot over James was short.

Terance Mann scored 16 points and Norman Powell added 14 for the Clippers, who played without Paul George (knee) for the second consecutive game. Ivica Zubac (illness) also was out.

The Clippers led by no fewer than nine points in the third quarter and took a 96-77 lead into the final period. The advantage went to 21 points early in the fourth, but a 19-3 run brought the Lakers within 101-96 with 7:33 remaining on a James drive to the basket.

A James 3-pointer with 4:36 remaining, his fifth from deep in the quarter, got the Lakers within 106-104. Two Davis free throws tied the score 106-106 with four minutes left, and a Hachimura 3-pointer put the Lakers up 109-106 with 3:10 to go.

Hachimura capped a 12-0 run with a reverse layup as the Lakers went up 111-106 with 2:26 remaining. Russell delivered the big blow with a 3-pointer for a 114-108 lead with 1:12 to go.

James' 19 fourth-quarter points represented his highest total in a single period this season.

—Field Level Media

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