The Los Angeles Lakers upset the Sacramento Kings 117-92 on Tuesday night, despite the absence of LeBron James. Anthony Davis scored 25 points, Russell Westbrook added 23, and the Lakers overcame the absence of LeBron James.
After being placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocol earlier in the day, the Lakers sent James home. Davis claimed James assured him he felt well and had no symptoms, but the Lakers will have to play without him for at least a few games.
Davis stated, “We still have to find ways to win.” “We can’t let it bother us.” He is, without a doubt, a vital member of our team. We’ve played a lot of games without him, though. So we’re already familiar with the situation. We’ve got to keep playing like we did on defense until he’s ready to come back.”
The Lakers got more than enough from their other two major stars and dominated the third quarter to win back-to-back games for the first time since November 8-10.
Early in the third quarter, the Kings had a 66-52 lead before the Lakers outscored them 27 points in the final 9:15 of the period to take a 13-point advantage entering the fourth.
Coach Frank Vogel remarked, “Every now and then, a coach has to put a fire beneath his team.” “Today was one of those games,” says the narrator. We weren’t making the necessary adjustments to our transition defense and pick-and-roll coverages. It’s sometimes necessary to inform them.”
During that time, Westbrook had 11 points and Davis had eight, including back-to-back baskets that gave Los Angeles the lead for good.
“It’s not my job or Russ’ job to feel like we have to do everything, but we do have to do enough to help our guys,” Davis said. “I believe we accomplished enough tonight, and the guys also stepped up.” It’s not going to be just Russ and me. It’s a team effort. But, as the snake’s head, Russ and I have to be able to continue to lead these guys until LeBron returns.”
During a period that went into the fourth quarter, Sacramento missed 17 of 18 shots from the field. Under interim coach Alvin Gentry, the Kings have dropped to 2-3.
Richaun Holmes returned from illness to score 27 points on 12-for-13 shooting in his first game back. De’Aaron Fox chipped in with 17 points, but he also committed seven turnovers.
“I apologize to every single Kings fan out there because you do not deserve this,” Gentry stated. “The second half was a nightmare and an embarrassment for the team. We can’t continue to play like we did in the second half…. That isn’t fair to the fans.”
LEBRON IS MISSING
James has missed 12 of the Lakers’ first 23 games this season due to injuries, suspension, and now this latest setback, which will keep him out for several games. After the win over the Kings, the squad is 7-4 with James and 5-7 without him.
“We’re not the same team we were three weeks ago or when he went out for the first time,” Vogel said before the game. “Hopefully, we’ll have better luck this time.”
TIP-INS
Avery Bradley (right thumb sprain) was also out for the Lakers. Just before the halftime buzzer, Malik Monk nailed a 40-footer to trim Sacramento’s advantage to 59-50. Monk ended with a total of 22 points… In the first quarter, Los Angeles turned the ball over eight times.
F Marvin Bagley (non-COVID-19 sickness), F Moe Harkless (knee), and F Harrison Barnes (foot) were all absent from the game for the Kings. Sacramento had a 55.6 percent first-half shooting percentage and a 28.6 percent second-half shooting percentage.
