LeBron James scores a “surreal” triple-double in the Lakers’ comeback win over the Kings

LeBron James posted his first triple-double of the season, including 16 points in the fourth quarter, as the Los Angeles Lakers improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2010-11 with a 131-127 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena.

James finished the game with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists. All three points were season highs for the 39-year-old in his 22nd season.

“Just when you think he’s slowing down, he continues to show the world why he’s the greatest,” Anthony Davis said of James’ performance. “To continue on that stretch, he actually looked at the bench and tried to get out of the game. We told him, ‘You’re not coming out.’ He comes out and hits another three-pointer. He continues to surprise each of us because we just know what he’s capable of.”

Bron on target. pic.twitter.com/COhGlvuJQa

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 27, 2024

After leading the Kings by as many as 15 points in the first half, Sacramento came back to take a seven-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Then James took over.

“I think a little bit of everything,” James said of what worked for him in the fourth quarter. “I found a rhythm, got my outside shot and also got a few shots in the paint. I got a backdoor from DLo (D’Angelo Russell) that worked well. So I’m just trying to figure out what can help me get through the difficult situation in this back-to-back race.”

James scored his 16 points over a two-minute, 59-second period in the fourth quarter. Entering the game, he scored just 16 and 21 points, respectively, compared to Los Angeles’ first two wins.

Lakers coach JJ Redick called the experience of watching James in the fourth quarter “surreal.”

“What can you say?” said Redick. “We’ve all been so fortunate to watch his greatness for so long, and the fact that he can continue to do it is just crazy. “It’s crazy, actually.”

Davis added 31 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He has scored 30 or more points in all three games this season.

The last time the Lakers beat the Kings was on January 7, 2023 – 658 days ago. They had lost five straight games and eight of nine to Sacramento. At 3-0, this is the Lakers’ best start since the 2010-11 season, when they started 8-0.

“We were able to hold our own and make it clear to the league that we were a different team,” Davis said.

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(Photo: Jevone Moore / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)