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The energy was flowing from the Lakers, LeBron James’ teammates placing an imaginary crown on his head after he scored nine points on three shots over 38 seconds in the second quarter.
It was a statement, the game’s all-time leading scorer putting on a show while his future partner, Luka Doncic, watched from the bench in his first appearance in front of Lakers fans in his new home.
The building shook Thursday as the Lakers led the Golden State Warriors by as many as 26 points in the first half, the team continuing a stretch of basketball in which it looked every bit of a championship contender.
Rob Pelinka and the Lakers have done more than just figure out what comes next in post-LeBron James era — they have built a championship-caliber foundation.
But energy is funny — it doesn’t take much for it to shift.
Austin Reaves couldn’t get a jumper to fall. Substitutes like Moses Moody and Pat Spencer, the latter playing only because the Warriors decimated their depth in a deal for Jimmy Butler, began to score. Draymond Green started to jaw and to annoy, shoving Jarred Vanderbilt on one possession and dragging Gabe Vincent into the first row on another.
If the Warriors were going to lose the game, they at least were going to try to win the fight.
But they ended up with neither.
The Warriors tested the Lakers, cutting that 26-point lead to five with less than four minutes to go. Stephen Curry, whom the Lakers had kept mostly under wraps early as they built their lead, got hot and the game got tight.
But James’ sixth three-pointer — his only one of the second half — gave the Lakers just enough room to survive in a 120-112 win, a game in which they never trailed and never totally lost their composure.
“Anytime you go against Draymond — every time you go against Draymond — you know [there’s] gonna be some extracurricular activities,” James said. “So you better be ready for it and you better lift before the game. And, yeah, you know that’s gonna happen.”
The cushion the Lakers (30-19) played with largely came from James, who was great most of the game after being nearly perfect in the first half. He made his first five threes on his way to becoming, at 40, the oldest player to score 40 points and grab at least 15 rebounds. He finished with 42 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists.
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1. Lakers’ Gabe Vincent, left, passes in front of Golden State’s Gary Payton. 2. Lakers guard Luka Doncic stands on the court before a win over the Warriors on Thursday. 3. Golden State star Stephen Curry scores in front of Lakers star LeBron James. 4. Golden State star Stephen Curry celebrates after shooting a three-pointer. 5. Luka Doncic, left, and LeBron James laugh on the bench. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
James joins Michael Jordan as the only players to score 40 in an NBA game after turning 40 years old.
“I’m old. That’s what I think,” James said. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep. That’s the first thing, I think.”
More help is coming soon. Doncic likely will make his debut Monday against Utah. The Lakers’ trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams was announced after the win.
“I’ve gotten really good feedback through the years on his character and his intelligence level and I’ve watched him develop and just a big fan of his,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said of Williams. “Did a little bit of — well, did a lot of legwork in preparation for an interview that never happened with the Hornets last year. So, I was very familiar with him. And just feel like he’s a really good fit for now and he’s a really good fit for the future.”
The Lakers got enough from their supporting cast, winning for the 10th time in 12 games. While Reaves struggled from the field, missing all nine of his threes, he made 15 of 16 from the line and also hit a key basket late to help cool the Warriors’ comeback. He finished with 23 points.
Vincent added 15, with Curry leading the Warriors (25-26) with 37 points while needing 35 shots. Vanderbilt grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.
James said he can see the vision with the Lakers’ new roster, and he doesn’t think incorporating Doncic, in particular, will be a problem.
“The challenge is — I don’t really see a challenge. Everybody get in the right spots. Hold each other accountable. Play basketball the right way. Share the ball,” James said. “The ball is gonna be in Luka’s hands. It’s gonna be in AR’s hands. Two great decision-makers. It’s gonna be in my hands a little bit as well. Another great decision-maker. And then our guys are gonna feast off of it. I mean, that’s a beautiful thing.”
TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal drafted the Lakers star first overall and then took Mavericks big man Anthony Davis with the ninth pick for new three-game tournament.
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