NBA: LeBron leads epic Lakers fightback to beat Clippers
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James scowls after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LeBron James staged the biggest fourth quarter comeback of his two-decade career on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a 21-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers 116-112 in the NBA.
The 39-year-old NBA icon reeled off 34 points — 19 of them in the fourth quarter — to help the Lakers claim a pulsating victory over their in-form city rivals at the Crypto.com Arena.
It was another storybook performance from the evergreen James, who along with the Lakers had looked to be heading for an emphatic defeat after the Clippers jumped into a 98-77 lead early in the final frame.
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WHAT A NIGHT FOR LEBRON.
👑 34 points, 8 assists, 7 threes
👑 19 in 4Q to lead 21-point comeback
👑 40 points away from 40K pic.twitter.com/IUYTIjFaGl— NBA (@NBA) February 29, 2024
But an inspired James helped the Lakers outscore the Clippers 39-16 in the fourth quarter to see them home.
“The game is not ever over until it’s double zeroes (on the play clock),” LeBron told an on-court interviewer after the win.
James was backed by 20 points and 12 rebounds from Anthony Davis, while D’Angelo Russell added 18 and Rui Hachimura 13.
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Kawhi Leonard topped the Clippers scoring with 26 points.
Clippers coach Tyronn Lue took responsibility for the loss.
“When you’re up 21 points you can’t lose a game like that,” Lue said. “I don’t think that’s ever happened since I’ve been coaching — to lose a 21-point lead in the fourth quarter.”
