Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – Luka Doncic scored 42 points but could not prevent the Los Angeles Lakers stumbling to a third straight defeat with a 124-112 loss against the lowly Sacramento Kings on Monday. LeBron James wore a special patch on his uniform to mark his historic 23rd season in the NBA and scored 22 points on a frustrating night for the Lakers, who made just eight three-pointers from 36 attempts. Doncic and James were among only four Lakers players to make double figures, with Deandre Ayton finishing with 13 points and Jaxson Hayes adding 12 off the bench. The Kings, one place off the bottom of the Western Conference with a 10-30 record, were led by 32 points from DeMar DeRozan, with Russell Westbrook finishing with 22 points against his former team. “We literally couldn’t make a shot,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
In other games, the Indiana Pacers bagged their third straight victory with an upset 98-96 win over the Boston Celtics in Indianapolis. Pascal Siakam led the scoring with 21 points for the Pacers, last year’s NBA Finals runners-up who remain rooted to the foot of the Eastern Conference with a 9-31 record. Siakam scored what turned out to be the winning basket, banking in a floating jump shot with seven seconds remaining to give the Pacers a rare home victory. Boston’s Derrick White missed a 32-foot three-point attempt with two seconds left on the clock as the Pacers held on for the win.
In Toronto, the 39-year-old Kyle Lowry was given a rousing reception as the Philadelphia 76ers romped to a 115-102 win over the Raptors. Lowry, a beloved figure in Toronto after helping the Raptors to their lone NBA title in 2019, was given a standing ovation in the fourth quarter as the crowd saluted what was likely his final appearance in Toronto before he retires. Lowry made a fleeting appearance for Philadelphia, playing just under two minutes as the Sixers cruised to victory thanks to 33 points from Tyrese Maxey and a 27-point contribution from Joel Embiid. Maxey led the tributes to Lowry afterwards, revealing how the veteran had helped his career since arriving in Philadelphia in 2024. Maxey said: “We talk at least five times a day. It started as soon as he got here. He just told me, ‘Listen, man. I’m here for you. Whatever you need me to do, whatever you need from me, I’m here for you.’ He’s been that way every single day no matter what.”
The Utah Jazz scored an upset 123-112 defeat of the Cleveland Cavaliers on the back of 32 points from Keyonte George and 28 points from Lauri Markkanen.
© 2024 AFP
