FILE – Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) gestures against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James conjured another virtuoso performance for the Los Angeles Lakers in a 115-108 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Ohio on Monday.
James finished with 46 points, eight rebounds and six assists to subdue his former club.
“It always feels great to get a win, especially in the purple and gold,” James said afterwards.
🔥 @KingJames puts up a season-high 46 points (21 in 4th) to lead the @Lakers to their 10th straight road W! #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/vuc4PmbL08
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2021
“I’m just trying to build my game where I can beat them at all facets, from the perimeter, from the mid-range, from the low posts.
“Just trying to be dominant where I can keep the defense off-balance and I was able to do that tonight.”
‘Pretty awesome’
Lakers coach Frank Vogel was left marveling at another ageless performance from the 36-year-old James.
“Pretty awesome just to see that he can still turn it up like that,” Vogel said. “Obviously, he wanted to win against his former team here. One of those nights for the ages from him.”
LeBron pours in 21 of his season-high 46 PTS in the 4th to power the @Lakers in Cleveland! #LakeShow
Wednesday: LAL@PHI at 7:30pm/et on ESPN pic.twitter.com/uUZ0vRaQdd
— NBA (@NBA) January 26, 2021
Anthony Davis finished with 17 points for the Lakers, while Dennis Schroder and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 10 points apiece.
The win nudged the Lakers back into first place in the Western Conference standings, with 14 wins and four defeats. The Los Angeles Clippers, who play in Atlanta on Tuesday, are second on 13-4.