In a nail-biting encounter, the Los Angeles Lakers (13-9) clinched the last semifinal spot in the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament with a hard-fought 106-103 victory over the Phoenix Suns (12-9) on Tuesday night.
LeBron James showcased his brilliance, scoring 15 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter, guiding the Lakers to a crucial win.
Anthony Davis contributed significantly with 27 points and 15 rebounds, while Austin Reaves added 20 points for the top-seeded Lakers.
The Lakers, now set to face the New Orleans Pelicans in the semifinals on Thursday in Las Vegas, demonstrated resilience as James orchestrated a masterful shooting performance in the final period.
Despite a formidable 31-point effort from Kevin Durant, the Suns fell short in the closing moments. Devin Booker and Grayson Allen scored 21 points each for Phoenix, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lakers’ determined fourth-quarter surge.
The game witnessed tense moments, including a controversial timeout granted to the Lakers in the closing seconds, leaving the Suns visibly frustrated.
Durant’s attempt at a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer proved unsuccessful, sealing the Lakers’ victory.
