Twenty years after his highly publicized debut in the NBA, LeBron James returned to Sacramento to follow up with the Lakers’ first victory this season, against Phoenix. But, forced to chase the Kings from the first quarter, the Lakers ended up losing a second time in three games after overtime (132-127).
Author of 11 of his 22 points in the extra period, Malik Monk was the executioner of his former club, helped by a “clutch” 3-pointer from Kevin Huerter (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) who really needed of that to regain a little confidence in his outside shot.
Despite another mammoth game from De’Aaron Fox, the Lakers managed to stay in the game behind a well-balanced attack, with six players at ten points or more. But guilty of 12 lost balls and only 39% shooting success in the first half, the Lakers got tired chasing the score.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– LeBron James snatches extension. At -2 with 25 seconds left after a throw from a limping De’Aaron Fox, the Lakers relied on “King James” who had an entire quarter of the field to operate and clinically cut through the Kings defense to go for the layup. Keegan Murray will have the match ball at his fingertips but his long-range shot will miss the target.
– Malik Monk royal in overtime. Whether it was contact with Anthony Davis to go for the basket plus the foul, left hand, or on a 3-point shot after an offensive rebound, or even on a clairvoyant pass for Huerter’s 3-pointer, he was royal in overtime, to the support of his friend Fox diminished.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ De’Aaron Fox. With 37 points and 8 assists, including 8 points in the last 6 minutes of regulation time, the All-Star leader of the Kings was exemplary, returning to the game after a nice twisted ankle at the start of the fourth quarter.
✅ Malik Monk. Malik Monk is not one to lose confidence. The proof last night: after missing 9 of his first 13 attempts, the Kings guard simply achieved a “perfect” in overtime at 4/4, plus an ultra-decisive pass for Huerter’s 3-pointer which put the Lakers permanently out of harm’s way.
⛔ Austin Reaves. Cross shooting at 1/12 on shots, including 1/8 behind the arc, he did not weigh in this match. The globalist is still struggling to get started in his season, and to assume his huge contract signed this summer.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
