Kings beat Lakers in triple OT, LeBron James misses 2 buzzer-beaters

The Los Angeles Lakers fell below .500 again after suffering a loss to the Sacramento Kings in triple overtime. LeBron James missed the game-winner at the end of regulation and at the end of the first OT, two three-point shots that he kept forcing throughout the night.

He only scored 2 of his 13 three-point attempts and went 10 of 25 from the field to end up with 30 points in 50 minutes of action. James had 11 assists and was just 3 rebounds shy of a triple-double, but what stands out the most from tonight is his two missed buzzer-beaters.

Russell Westbrook had a 29-point triple-double, but like most of what he's displayed this season, it wasn't enough for the win. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis returned to action after missing last game with a non-Covid illness and managed to record 4 blocks, 23 points, and 8 rebounds in 50 minutes.

Foreshadowing the triple OT

After the end of the first quarter, the game was tied at 20, and the halftime score was 53-53. This game was a stalemate since the beginning, a back-and-forth battle between one of the oldest teams in the league and a young core with new leadership.

Kings eventually proved that youth can overcome a veteran team, using their stamina to outlast the Lakers and finally outscore them in the third and final overtime. Led by Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox, the Kings quieted the Staples Center with a combined 59 points.

Fox played 53 minutes and made 15 of his 32 shots to put up 34 points, accompanied by 8 assists and 6 rebounds. Hield, who only made 3 of his 13 three-point attempts, did help his team off the bench with 25 points, keeping the Kings alive in the first two overtime sessions as James and company failed to put them away.

After missing countless shots from beyond the arc, James finally started driving to the hoop in overtimes one and two, getting to the line on multiple ocassions to keep LA ahead. Westbrook also got to the line, but missed when it counted the most.

In the final overtime, Sacramento created some distance on the scoreboard, but a triple from Carmelo Anthony kept the hope alive and the Lakers down by 6 with less than a minute left to play. Hope died with 5 seconds to play as the refs called a clear path foul on the Lakers.

Lakers last went to triple overtime in March of 2011 against the Phoenix Suns.

Isaiah Stewart and LeBron James reunion

After playing 50 minutes in a bitter loss, it's plausible that James could sit out Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Seeing the King reunite with the young raging bull that is Isaiah Stewart was a sight NBA fans were eager to witness.

Kings get another win without Luke Walton as their head coach and now hold a record of 8-12. Lakers will look to repeat their win against Detroit, with or without James.

Adblock test (Why?)