With Luka Doncic out, LeBron James and Austin Reaves lead Lakers past Portland

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Lakers star LeBron James drives to the basket during a 110-102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. (Cameron Browne / NBAE via Getty Images)

The Lakers are looking for answers when it comes to maximizing their star trio. For the star duo of LeBron James and Austin Reaves, things were a little less cluttered Thursday night as the pair took turns dragging the Lakers to a much-needed win after awful back-to-back losses.

James and Reaves made the biggest shots, got the biggest stops and, on a night when they didn’t have Luka Doncic, pushed the Lakers to a 110-102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

James scored 40 on the second night of a back-to-back and Reaves added 32, both players also getting key stops as Portland (23-33) pushed in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers’ fight to win, particularly from James and Reaves, left coach JJ Redick in awe, pouring praise on his leaders.

Read more: Hernández: The Lakers are struggling. Can JJ Redick help them find their footing?

“He really just defies anything that’s normal. And not just the physical feats and the plays. It’s the mentality,” Redick said about James. “He’s, I believe I saw the other day, he’s a billionaire. And he’s playing on the second night of a back-to-back at 40 after 22 years with every fricking record and every accolade. … He’s one of the greatest competitors.

“And Nate [McMillan, assistant] and I were talking about it before the game. It’s like, he’s amazing to coach. He brings it every single day. … He sets the standard for how you’re supposed to approach this craft. And that’s to me the most incredible thing. It’s just a mindset to do it, get up the next day, do it, get up the next day, do it over and over again.”

So why not take the night off?

“Because I still love the game and I still got a lot to give to the game, to give to my teammates, to give to this league for while I’m here,” James said. “I don’t have much time left. So, while I’m here today in this time, I’m going to try to give what I got when I’m out on the floor. So, why? It’s the love of the game and I have an opportunity now to show my son…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/luka-doncic-lebron-james-austin-054453028.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2025-02-21 05:44:00

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