We had not seen LeBron James on an NBA floor since March 20 and a game lost by the Lakers against Atlanta. The LA star suffered a sprained right ankle and missed his team’s last 20 games. But James finally made his comeback on Friday at home against the Sacramento Kings. And, if the Lakers lost (110-106), gave him a good copy, with 16 points (6/12 shooting), 8 rebounds and 7 assists, in 32 minutes of play.
Yet deprived of De’Aaron Fox (Covid-19 protocol) and Harrison Barnes (affected by an adductor), the Kings won on the Lakers’ field for the first time in three years. They entered the match very well (30-15, 11th). But LA patiently regained control, leading by one point at the break (56-55), then by 10 after the third quarter (88-78).
The Sacramento Kings, led by Tyrese Haliburton (23 points, 10 assists) and Richaun Holmes (22 points, 9 rebounds), finally came back to score five minutes from the buzzer (96-96), before leveling off with the Lakers. LeBron James struggled in the final moments of the match, losing two balls and missing a three-point shot 2.7 seconds from the end. Sacramento finally secured their victory, on two free throws scored by Haliburton.
Los Angeles lost for the second consecutive time, after losing against Washington (116-107) on Wednesday. LA therefore remains under threat of going through the play-offs in the next play-offs, with nine games left to play. The Lakers will try to redeem themselves in their next outing, Sunday against Toronto.