Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs appears over the shoulder of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the course of the second half of a sport at Crypto.com Enviornment on February 23, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Sean M. Haffey/Getty Photos/AFP
Superstars LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama will battle for the primary time this season when the Los Angeles Lakers go to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday in an NBA Cup Western Convention Group B sport.
It is going to be the primary of 4 group-stage video games for each Los Angeles and San Antonio. Every squad can have additionally confronted Phoenix, Utah and Oklahoma Metropolis by Dec. 3.
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Friday’s conflict can be the primary of a back-to-back for every crew. James and the Lakers play at New Orleans on Saturday, whereas Wembanyama and the Spurs head north to Dallas for an in-state showdown in opposition to the Mavericks.
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Los Angeles storms into the Alamo Metropolis on a three-game successful streak after Wednesday’s 128-123 residence victory over Memphis. James bundled 35 factors with 12 rebounds and 14 assists in opposition to the Grizzlies to turn into the oldest participant in league historical past to tally three straight triple-doubles.
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“(It’s) simply being very affected person, simply taking what the protection offers me,” mentioned James, 39. “I’ve been doing it for some time, so I perceive time and rating. Perceive the waves and the swings of the sport. So nothing new to me.
“I’m simply dwelling within the second, and it feels good to have the ability to exit and play the sport that I like at a excessive stage nonetheless and each night time I step on the ground. I attempt to assist our crew achieve success in any manner, form, kind or style. So, in that sense, it’s fairly cool.”
Anthony Davis added 21 factors and 14 rebounds, Rui Hachimura and rookie Dalton Knecht scored 19 factors apiece and Austin Reaves chipped in 18 factors for the Lakers.
READ: NBA: LeBron James’ triple-double leads Lakers previous Grizzlies
Knecht made all 5 of his 3-point makes an attempt and notched his career-high level whole, whereas Reaves punctuated his outing with a dagger 3-pointer with 1:09 remaining within the fourth quarter.
In the meantime, the Spurs shut their five-game homestand after successful three of the primary 4.
San Antonio outlasted Washington 139-130 on Wednesday behind a career-high 50 factors from second-year star Wembanyama, who shot 18-of-29 from the ground and made a career-high eight 3-pointers. Wembanyama grew to become the one Spurs participant ever to make at the least six photographs from past the arc in three consecutive contests.
“Huge shout out to (Wembanyama) — he’s engaged on his sport,” mentioned ahead Julian Champagnie, who completed with 12 factors. “He takes every part private. I don’t know what it was (Wednesday), however he took one thing private.
“He went on the market and hooped. He didn’t bow his head. I believe there was instances when he missed 5 in a row and it was subsequent shot, subsequent shot, subsequent shot. That’s what we would like from him. If he has 50 each sport, go forward.”
Devin Vassell added 17 factors for San Antonio whereas Harrison Barnes, Stephon Fort and Blake Wesley every scored 10.
Chris Paul distributed 11 assists for the Spurs, who held on after Washington rallied from 21 down to drag inside 5 within the ultimate minute. The win gave San Antonio consecutive victories for simply the second time this yr and pulled the Spurs to .500 after 12 video games.
The Spurs and Lakers will play three extra instances this season — Nov. 27 in San Antonio after which on Jan. 11 and 13 in Los Angeles. –Discipline Stage Media
