Los Angeles Lakers needed the best version of Anthony Davis and a record-breaking LeBron James, to defeat the alien Victor Wembanyama, who despite having a good game was not enough to prevent the San Antonio Spurs from their defeat against the Lakers (115-120).
James scored 15 points (6/12 from the field), 16 rebounds and 12 assists to seal his fourth consecutive triple-double, a personal record in his 22 years in the league and the second player to achieve such a feat with the Los Angeles franchise, equalling Russell Westbrook. It was the 117th triple-double of his career, which reaffirms him as the fifth of all time in that classification after Westbrook (199), Oscar Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138) and Nikola Jokic (136).
Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis (3) gestures to teammates during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in San Antonio.
I played terrible, I didn’t have a good rhythm. The best thing about me is that I can have no offensive rhythm and still have an impact on the game.
Despite everything, ‘King’ James was quite critical of his performance: “I played terrible, I didn’t have a good rhythm,” he said after shooting only 12 times, his lowest number of shots this season, and committing seven turnovers, also his highest figure this campaign: “The best thing about my game is that I can have no offensive rhythm and still have an impact on the game. I was able to do that tonight,” he explained.
Fifth most regular season games (1,504)
It was his 1,504th regular season game, tying John Stockton for fifth all-time, and he surpassed 57,000 regular season minutes in his career. James valued his triple-double streak. “To still have the energy to do that takes a lot of effort. But it also takes great teammates along the way.”
I just try to get the ball to the guys on time, score some points here and there and defensively grab rebounds and try to help Anthony Davis under the rim.
LeBron explained in detail the objectives he sets himself in each game and which justify his triple-doubles: “Those assists only happen when the guys are scoring, and I just try to get them the ball on time, score some points here and there and defensively get rebounds and try to help Anthony Davis and the rest of the guys under the hoop”.
‘The Brow’ was the Lakers’ best offensive argument as he scored 40 points (12/22, 2/4 3-pointers and 10/12 free throws) to which he added 12 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks in 36 minutes. He is the fifth player with the most games of at least 40 points and 10 rebounds since 2020. James and Davis were well supported by Austin Reaves (19+3+6), Dalton Knecht (14+3) and by substitute D’Angelo Russell (13+2+6).
This time, the Spurs were not helped by Wembanyama’s consistent game, as he scored 28 points (8/12 2-pointers and 4/13 3-pointers), 14 rebounds, five assists, one steal and two blocks. The giant did what he could in attack, but in defense he was always outplayed by the experienced Anthony Davis and only had the help of Stephon Castle (22+2+5), clearly insufficient against the Lakers’ more choral play.
