US-Sport compact Lakers lose on James comeback – Next Mavs bust
Düsseldorf · While most Europeans are asleep, the North American professional leagues are buzzing. What Happened That Night in American Football, Basketball, and Ice Hockey.
LeBron James made his comeback.
Photo: dpa/Marcio Jose Sanchez
Ice hockey: Reichel scores in the NHL
The German national player Lukas Reichel has suffered his fifth consecutive defeat with the Chicago Blackhawks, but he has scored in two consecutive games for the first time in his career in the North American ice hockey league NHL.
In the 2:4 (1:0, 0:1, 1:3) home defeat against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday (local time), Reichel made it 2:3 at the end of the third period and scored his fifth goal of the season. But with a minute remaining, the Canucks made the decision with a hit into an empty goal. The Blackhawks haven’t had a chance to make the playoffs for a long time.
11 Pictures These are the Germans in the NFL
Photo: dpa/-
Reichel is currently completing his second NHL season. After being used mainly in the Blackhawks’ farm team last season, the Nuremberg-born player is now used constantly in the NHL. The 20-year-old striker has been in the Chicago squad since early March. “He’s very explosive. And I think he’s becoming even more confident in that regard,” said Chicago head coach Luke Richardson.
The Boston Bruins won the top game against the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 (1-0, 2-1, 0-2) after a penalty shoot-out and extended their winning streak to seven wins. Czech international David Pastrnak scored twice to break the 50-goal mark this season. Only Connor McDavid (60 goals) has scored more times this season. The Bruins and Hurricanes are two of three teams that have already qualified for the playoffs.
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Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
Basketball: bankruptcies for Lakers and Mavs – victory for Wagner brothers
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a setback in the fight for playoff spots when superstar LeBron James returned after recovering from injury. The Lakers lost after three wins in the North American basketball league NBA on Sunday (local time) against the Chicago Bulls with 108:118 (55:63)
James came on from the bench for the first time since December 2007 and made a solid comeback with 19 points and eight rebounds. But even the 38-year-old couldn’t prevent the Lakers from being up to 20 points behind in the first half and then always chasing a deficit. National player Dennis Schröder started the game and scored 17 points and five assists.
“When I woke up and got out of bed after yesterday’s workout, I knew I might be able to play today,” James said of his return. “You could see that he found his rhythm right away. He’s a smart, experienced player, one of the all-time greats so it’s no surprise,” said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham. James had missed the previous 13 games with a foot injury, but the Lakers won eight games without their superstar.
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Photo: AP/Charles Krupa
With a record of 37 wins and 38 losses, the Lakers are currently in ninth place. The Dallas Mavericks are two places behind – and thus outside the playoff ranks. In a disappointing 104:110 (48:55) against the Charlotte Hornets, the Texans lost for the fourth time in a row.
The Mavericks had to give up after a 7-0 run in the closing stages, and the three-pointer to 104-106 from German international Maxi Kleber (14 points) didn’t change that. Superstar Luka Doncic led Dallas with 40 points, but was called a technical foul in the third quarter. It was Doncic’s 16th this season, which means he will be automatically suspended for the next game.
In the Eastern Conference, the Orlando Magic kept their small playoff chance. The team of brothers Franz and Moritz Wagner defeated the Brooklyn Nets 119:106 (60:51) and clinched their third win in a row. Franz Wagner scored ten of his 19 points in the closing period and helped maintain a double-digit lead. Thanks to ten rebounds, the winger recorded a double-double for the second time this season. His brother Moritz Wagner got twelve points.