The Los Angeles Lakers welcomed the Orlando Magic knowing that the battle would not be easy. That meant the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis would have to play like the superstars they are. In addition, the rest of the squad also needed to play well.
It was a tight back-and-forth contest despite both teams attempting to start a rally and maintain some distance. At one point the Lakers were up by double-digits, but then the Magic came back with a rally of their own. Then the Orlando Magic, playing their twelfth game without leading star Paolo Banchero took over the lead.
However, the likes of James and Davis ensured that the lead did not balloon out of control. The soon-to-be 40-year-old, however, had some jaw-dropping moments that would have been the most talked about takeaways from this night of basketball.
1. LeBron James has fitting reply to a block
Early in the second quarter, LeBron James tried to go to the rim. But the Magic’s Jonathan Isaac was there to block that shot. James called for a foul as he felt his opponent had whacked his hand instead of the ball, but the officials did not budge.
On the following possession, Isaac’s teammate Moritz Wagner threw down a dunk to tie the game. But the four-time league MVP was still seething from that no-call and had the ball in his hands on the following possession. He took the ball outside, surveyed the field in a split second and drove to his left.
LEBRON JAMES. POSTER. pic.twitter.com/V827iiohwo
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 22, 2024
That drive left Franz Wagner trailing, which forced Isaac to come over to help. But the timing was perfect as LeBron James rose to finish with an emphatic dunk over the big man. He even gave the younger star a quick glance, letting him know he had given him his reply.
2. Eyes at the back of his head
LeBron James is known for his elite basketball IQ and court vision. Even his biggest critic swears by his passing ability. In the third quarter, Anthony Davis was pulled to get some rest. At that time, stop-gap signing Christian Koloko was in the game and was coming up to the free throw line.
The Lakers superstar was near the same area and threw a bounce pass to his right. What surprised viewers was that he anticipated his young teammate was going to catch the ball. Koloko did and drove to the rim and drew a foul. Commentators noted how James’ elite awareness needed just a quick shadow to for him to know where to place the ball.
3. Full court pin-point pass to Anthony Davis
With two minutes left in the game, the Orlando Magic had a one-point lead. The game was that tight that any missed possession could cost them. On the next play, Davis launched a mid-ranger that bounced off the rim. But LeBron James leapt into the air to grab the offensive rebound and score on a layup.
That athleticism was again evident on the next possession when he soared up high to grab the defensive rebound. But then, he did one better, as he threw the ball across the court with both hands to the waiting Anthony Davis. Davis grabbed it and dunked to help the Lakers increase their lead.
All of these plays meant LeBron James finished the night with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. However, it was not enough as free throw misses from him and Anthony Davis led to a Franz Wagner game-winning three. The Los Angeles Lakers lost the game 118-119 to the Magic.
