In the fourth quarter, LeBron James tallied more points than the entire Los Angeles Clippers, thereby guiding the Lakers to a comeback from a 21-point deficit.
“The game has not yet ceased until the final whistle blows and the game clock reaches four zeros,” LeBron James replied, indicating the electronic clock displayed on the basketball board. Despite the fact that the majority of his peers have retired or are merely participating in “floral” games to pass the time, LeBron James continues to shoulder the load, carry the load, and lead his team to victory.
That occurred at Crypto.com Arena at noon on February 29, Vietnam time, on February 29, when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 116-112 despite trailing by 21 points in the fourth quarter.
The biggest gap was created after Mason Plumlee’s scoring to open the fourth quarter, putting the LA Clippers up 98-77. From here the comeback of the Los Angeles Lakers began.
LeBron James “started the engine” with 3 3-pointers in 2 minutes, contributing to a 14-2 run to shorten the score to 91-100, forcing the LA Clippers to have a timeout with 8 minutes and 47 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
However, nothing changed and the Lakers continued to close the gap to 5 points. LeBron scored 5 personal points and assisted 1 more 3-pointer for D’Angelo Russell, causing the Clippers to call a time-out again at the 6 minute 53 second mark (99-104).
A brief interruption in the Lakers’ frenzy was caused by Kawhi Leonard’s two points, but it was inconsequential because LeBron James continued to soar. “The King” then assisted D’Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura in making two more three-pointers, extending the Los Angeles Lakers’ lead over the LA Clippers to 114-108. Following Leonard’s two challenging baskets, the Los Angeles Clippers are in position to force overtime or secure the victory if they successfully attempt three-point shooting (114-112).
Nevertheless, that improbable situation was averted when LeBron James surrounded Kawhi Leonard in the deciding period, thereby securing an emotive comeback triumph for the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron James accumulated 34 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 2 blocks in 37 minutes of action for the entire contest. When considering points tallied exclusively in the fourth quarter, LeBron James (19 PTS, 5-8 3PT) surpassed the combined score of the entire Los Angeles Clippers (16 PTS). This tally excludes the four assists provided by James, which contributed eleven additional points, plus three three-pointers from Hachimura and Russell. Anthony Davis, who has 20 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 stella, and 3 blocks, is immediately behind him. 17 points were tallied by Rui Hachimura (8-15 FG). D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves each contributed 18 and 13 points, respectively.
This, per ESPN Stats & Info, signifies a turning point in LeBron James’ professional trajectory. In the twenty years since his debut in the NBA, the “king” had encountered a 21-point deficit in the fourth quarter 136 times without prevailing. James altered the script and penned an extraordinary comeback victory this time around. Even more remarkable and refined was the fact that LeBron was the focal point of the game-winning half, making five three-pointers in the final twelve minutes. In addition to LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers also achieved historic status. With a 19-point deficit entering the fourth quarter, the yellow and purple team emerged victorious for the first time since April 2003.
As for the Los Angeles Clippers, striker Ivica Zubac was unable to participate due to a knee injury that had not yet fully healed on Paul George. James Harden began the contest on a tear with 23 points and 9 assists, but he waned in the fourth quarter. At the conclusion of the fourth quarter, Kawhi Leonard recorded 26 points (11-19 FG), 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, including a number of challenging shots. Sadly, his performance failed to provide the Los Angeles Clippers with the necessary assistance to defeat LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
