LOS ANGELES — The game was won with a late flurry of baskets that overshadowed a lackluster beginning and middle and so LeBron James found postgame comfort late Friday night at Crypto.com Arena with both of his aching feet submerged in a bucket of ice. He sighed as reporters crowded around him.
“We’re tired, man,” he said.
James and the Lakers had just rallied for a 121-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns, who rested four starters, including Kevin Durant, while playing for the second consecutive night. The Suns (45-36) could afford to play their subs since they’ve secured fourth place in the Western Conference.
The Lakers (42-39) have secured no worse than a spot in the 7-vs.-8 play-in game, maintaining their seventh-place standing with their fifth victory in their past six games and the eighth in their past 10. They conclude the regular-season Sunday afternoon at home against the Utah Jazz, a rebuilding team that has been eliminated from playoff contention.
“How many games is that?” James asked after the Lakers played for the third time in four nights. “Six in what? Is that six (games) in eight (nights)? Six (games) in 10 days? Or something like that. I don’t know. We’re just tired. Six in 10, OK. We’re a little tired. We’re a little tired.”
There’s no rest for the weary.
The charge from a 2-10 record start to the season to the playoffs has been a grueling one.
Friday was another example.
The Lakers needed a pick-me-up, and they received it not from James and Anthony Davis but from D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves and Malik Beasley. Russell had 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting, Reaves had 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting and Beasley scored 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
James had 16 points and Davis had 14 points and 21 rebounds but they combined to shoot 10 for 31 from the field. James broke a 96-all tie with a fadeaway jump shot with 10:02 left in the game, igniting an 11-0 run that proved to be a game-decider. The Suns’ backups had given the Lakers fits to that point, but faded swiftly and certainly.
“I think guys got their wind, got their legs up under them,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of the late surge. “This is the back side of three in four nights, so with travel and getting in at weird hours, it’s that time of the year, man. I know if I’m feeling tired, I can only imagine how (the players) feel.
“We’ve just got to find a way to power through, and that was the message at halftime, pretty much. We were able to put it together as the game wore on and got a little bit stronger. Started seeing the ball go in more and we started getting some stops and holding them to one (shot per) possession.
“It’s that time of the year, man.”
The Lakers have miles to run before they can rest. Avoiding the play-in tournament remains a possibility, but because of possible three- or four-way ties in the standings, they need to beat the Jazz on Sunday and get help in the form of losses Sunday by the fifth-place Golden State Warriors (43-38) and eighth-place New Orleans Pelicans (42-39) and at least one loss by the sixth-place Clippers (42-38) Saturday or Sunday.
Rising to fifth got tougher with the Warriors’ victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. Golden State completes the regular season with a date against the Trail Blazers in Portland on Sunday. The Clippers play host to the Trail Blazers on Saturday before facing the Suns – who could opt to sit their starters again – on Sunday in Phoenix.
The Lakers also could drop in the standings if they lose to the Jazz and the Pelicans, who beat the New York Knicks on Friday, defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves in their regular-season finale in Minneapolis. Minnesota (40-40) plays at San Antonio on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Suns will await the winner of the battle for fifth.
Coach Monty Williams rested Durant, Deandre Ayton, Chris Paul and Devin Booker one night after the Suns defeated the conference-leading Denver Nuggets in Phoenix. The Suns’ top four players all played big minutes against the Nuggets, who rested all five starters Thursday.
In the absence of the Suns’ cornerstones, Torrey Craig scored a team-leading 18 points and Jock Landale added 17 in a reserve role after Bismark Biyombo injured his right knee late in the second quarter and couldn’t continue. Josh Okogie, the only starter to play Friday, added 16 points.
Slowly, steadily, the Lakers pulled away from the Suns’ subs in the fourth quarter. James, with seven points, and Russell, with nine, made it happen when it mattered most. James made only 3 of 8 shots on his way to a 6-for-19 finish, underscoring some but not all of his difficulties. Russell was 3 for 3 from 3-point range.
“I’m looking forward to possibly having a day off (Saturday),” James said, likely speaking for all concerned.
“Rest is at the top of the list of things that needs to get done.” Darvin Ham wants to close out the season strong but plans for the postseason now. pic.twitter.com/xmUUdgDUkk
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 8, 2023
“We not always gonna shoot the ball well…but we have a complete team.” @AntDavis23 credits the #Lakers depth to the team win tonight. pic.twitter.com/7a8C4GqsRs
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 8, 2023
.@KingJames talks about foot management, the expectations of Austin Reaves, and being a dad on his time off before the game on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/eViVOGOFxq
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 8, 2023
Darvin Ham gives Austin Reaves some “MVP” love as he’s getting interviewed by @LakersReporter after the needed win. pic.twitter.com/Hvhf2BFTC0
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) April 8, 2023
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
