LeBron James delivered a triple-double masterclass as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Sacramento Kings 131-127 in a thrilling showdown early on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Trailing 94-87 heading into the fourth quarter, the Lakers surged ahead with a 21-0 run, led by James, who scored 16 points within the first four minutes of the final period. He finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his first triple-double of the season and the 113th of his career. “It was about setting the tone in that fourth quarter,” James said. “We had to respond, and we did.”
Anthony Davis was equally dominant, posting 31 points, 14 of which came in the fourth quarter, along with nine rebounds and two assists. Davis has now scored at least 30 points in three consecutive games to start the season, reinforcing his critical role in the Lakers’ attack.
As Sacramento fought back to close the gap to 125-123 with under a minute remaining, the Lakers leaned on the James-Davis duo to secure the win. Saturday’s victory marked the Lakers’ first over the Kings since January 7, 2023, ending a five-game losing streak in the matchup.
Rui Hachimura also impressed, contributing 18 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes, as all five Lakers starters reached double figures. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves added 16 points each, with Russell adding five assists and four rebounds, while Reaves contributed seven rebounds and six assists.
For Sacramento, Domantas Sabonis led with a triple-double of his own—29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists—while De’Aaron Fox tallied 28 points and 10 assists. The Kings’ offseason acquisition, DeMar DeRozan, scored 23 points in his Sacramento debut after arriving in a sign-and-trade deal from the Chicago Bulls.
Next up, the Lakers embark on a five-game road trip with stops in Phoenix, Cleveland, Toronto, Detroit, and Memphis before returning to Los Angeles.
