Lakers woes haunt in OT loss to Kings
SACRAMENTO—The Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Sacramento Kings in overtime on Sunday, gaining no ground and extra fatigue in a 132–127 loss to move their record to 1–2.
“We just gotta be better. Gotta be better for sure. We’ll figure it out,” LeBron James said of their overtime loss.
Oct. 29, 2023 — That marked LeBron’s NBA debut against the same Kings team he faced tonight, exactly 20 years ago to this date. Although both games resulted in the same outcome, history underscores the longevity of his career and his dominance during that timeframe.
LeBron, now in his 21st season, still looks like he hasn't lost a step, but his minutes need to be restricted for precautionary reasons to stay fresh for the playoffs and the potential wear and tear of an 82-game season.
Set to face a young, fresh Orlando Magic team in less than 24 hours, the Lakers had LeBron and Anthony Davis combined for 80 minutes in their loss to the Kings. Davis had 41 minutes and LeBron had 39 minutes.
Head coach Darvin Ham said he has “not, as of yet,” decided on the availability of LeBron and Davis against the Magic on Monday.
The Lakers' woes shined their brightest in their second loss of the season, trailing most of the game despite opportunities to surpass their opponent with free throw opportunities and open shot chances.
“For the most part of the game, we have our moments where we look off, but I think, for the most part, we’ll be fine,” said Davis.
The Lakers shot 76.5% from the free-throw line, making 26 out of 34 attempts; 33.3% from the three-point line, hitting 15 of 45 attempts, and 43.9% overall, making 43 of 98 attempts.
L.A. took its first lead of the game on a spot-up three-pointer from Rui Hachimura on a fast break, giving them a 91–90 lead and a momentum boost. Hachimura finished with 11 points and six rebounds coming off the bench.
The Lakers extended their lead to the highest point of the game, leading by five at the end of the third quarter, taking an 87–83 lead into the fourth.
It came down to the wire late in the fourth quarter, with Kings center Domantas Sabonis fouling out after a loose ball foul on Davis.
Davis immediately attacked the basket and penetrated the paint to take advantage of the Kings team without Sabonis. Davis finished the game with 30 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.
With less than 20 seconds to go, trailing by two, the Lakers looked to LeBron to make the play, and he answered the call, tying the game at 115 with 12.9 seconds left after a sweeping layup.
LeBron ended the game with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists.
The Kings had an opportunity to win it at the buzzer but missed short on a long three-pointer by Keegan Murray.
In overtime, the Kings outscored the Lakers 17–12 and were led by D’Aaron Fox, who scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, and former Laker Malik Monk, who scored 11 points in overtime.
Fox finished with a game-high 37 points, and Monk contributed 22 points coming off the bench.
“They edged us out tonight. We’ll learn from it, we’ll grow,” Ham said.
During his brief time off the bench, Christian Wood provided a spark for the Lakers, scoring 11 points with a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point range, 3-for-3 from the foul line, and 3-for-3 overall.
Austin Reaves had one of his worst performances since becoming a starter for the Lakers, scoring five points on 1-for-12 shooting in 27 minutes.
The Lakers will return to Los Angeles to face the Orlando Magic on Monday at 7:30 p.m. in their second game of a back-to-back.
