LeBron James overturned a game-winning layup over time, and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers gave the Indiana Pacers 120-119 victory on Wednesday.
James didn’t connect with field goals until the fourth quarter, but finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers (44-28).
Los Angeles chased the third inning with five minutes remaining, and Rui Hachimura stamped a triple with 1:51 left. The Pacers then recaptured the lead with seven straight points, including a three-point play from Tyrees Halliburton to grab the 119-118 edge with 42 seconds left.
After Benedict Matlin missed the 3-pointer, Luka Donsic’s missed floater was returned by James at the buzzer.
Don Sic has 34 points, seven boards and seven assists for Los Angeles, with Austin Reeves earning 24 and Tamura added 14.
Indiana (42-30) was led by Matlin’s 23 points from the bench and Halliburton’s 16 points and 18 assists. Miles Turner contributed with Indiana’s 16 points and 12 rebounds. This concluded a five-game winning streak with Andrew Nenbird finishing with 16 points.
Indiana ran at halftime by age 13, trimming the deficit to seven on Turner’s triple. Don Sic’s layup later pushed the Lakers’ lead to 83-73, but the 13-5 Pacers spurt concluded with a triple from Matlin and Aaron Nesmith, pulling Indiana within two.
Indiana’s final owner Nenbird basket sent the Pacers into the final quarter with a 95-92 deficit.
James’ first two field goals took place in a row at the beginning of the fourth, with the second basketball pushing Indiana’s timeout down to 101-92. James then continued his run with four more points before Maturin scored eight as part of Indiana’s 13-0 run, tying the game at 105 at the 6:05 mark.
Just a minute later, Turner’s Trey gave Pacer his first lead since opening hours in the second quarter.
Indiana took a 33-28 lead in the second quarter, but the Lakers opened their second with a 15-0 run. Nembhard’s three-point play stopped Indiana’s bleeding, but the Reaves scored 10 of the Lakers’ next 12 points, helping to give Los Angeles a 55-43 edge within five minutes in the first half.
Maturin scored the Pacers’ final six points in the first half, but Jackson Hayes’ dunk with 11 seconds left gave the Lakers a 68-55 halftime lead.
– Field-level media
