Anthony Davis and LeBron James combined for a dominant performance, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a thrilling 105-104 victory over the Utah Jazz on Sunday night.
Davis posted 33 points and 11 rebounds, while James added 27 points and 14 assists, delivering in crucial moments to lift the injury-depleted Lakers past a scrappy Jazz squad.
The game came down to the wire, with James missing a three-pointer in the final seconds. Utah had one last chance to steal the win, but Collin Sexton fumbled the inbounds pass, failing to get a shot off before the buzzer. That final sequence sealed the Lakers’ hard-fought victory, showcasing their resilience despite missing key players.
James demonstrated his veteran leadership with a decisive running left-handed hook shot that put the Lakers ahead 105-102 with 41 seconds remaining. However, Utah’s Walker Kessler responded with a putback, keeping the Jazz within striking distance. Despite the pressure, Los Angeles held firm, leaning on their two superstars to close the game.
Davis dominated the third quarter, scoring 16 points and giving the Lakers a cushion heading into the final stretch. When Davis took a breather in the fourth, James took over, igniting the crowd with a series of four straight buckets, including a reverse layup and a powerful dunk, extending the Lakers’ lead to 101-92.
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Utah, however, refused to back down. Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 22 points, while John Collins added 21, helping the Jazz claw back into contention late in the game. Yet, critical turnovers continued to haunt Utah, as their 15 giveaways resulted in 20 points for the Lakers, a glaring issue that cost them in the end.
The Jazz’s turnover woes proved costly in the final moments. A layup by Sexton that seemed to give Utah a 106-105 lead was erased when head coach Will Hardy called a timeout with 2.1 seconds remaining. That decision ultimately left the Jazz with no time to recover after the botched inbounds play.
Even without key contributors Jaxson Hayes (ankle), Austin Reaves (hip), D’Angelo Russell (illness), and Cam Reddish (illness), the Lakers showcased depth and determination. Hayes is expected to miss two to three weeks, making this gritty win even more significant for Los Angeles.
James’ historic night added another milestone to his legendary career, as he surpassed 15,000 career field goals made in the second quarter. He became only the second player in NBA history to reach that mark, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who holds the record with 15,837 field goals.
The Lakers’ ability to maintain composure in a tight contest is a testament to their evolving chemistry and reliance on their star duo. Despite being “weary,” as noted by head coach Darvin Ham, the team managed to fend off Utah’s relentless comeback attempts.
For Utah, the loss marks their eighth in nine games, underscoring the struggles of a team searching for consistency. Turnovers and late-game execution remain key areas of concern for the Jazz, who must tighten up their play as they embark on a challenging seven-game road trip.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, a test that could further gauge their depth amid injuries. Meanwhile, the Jazz head to Oklahoma City on Tuesday to open their road trip, aiming to correct their turnover issues and snap their losing skid.
This contest highlighted the Lakers’ resilience and Utah’s determination, but ultimately, it was Los Angeles’ ability to capitalize on key moments and limit mistakes that made the difference. For the Lakers, this win not only adds momentum but also reaffirms their ability to close out tight games in high-pressure situations.
