In an exciting matchup, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 132-122 victory over the Sacramento Kings, showcasing a strong team effort despite the absence of star player LeBron James due to illness. Anthony Davis led the charge with an impressive performance, tallying 36 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. The Lakers demonstrated depth and resilience, with Austin Reaves stepping up to contribute a career-high 26 points along with 16 assists. Rui Hachimura also made a significant impact, scoring 21 points, while Max Christie and Dalton Knecht added 16 and 18 points, respectively.
The Kings, playing their first game under interim coach Doug Christie following the firing of Mike Brown, were led by De’Aaron Fox, who scored 29 points and dished out 12 assists. DeMar DeRozan supported with 25 points. Sacramento managed to cut a 20-point deficit down to 123-117 late in the game, but the Lakers maintained control with crucial plays from Reaves and Christie.
Key moments included Domantas Sabonis fouling out late in the game, which hampered the Kings' efforts to close the gap. The Lakers improved their record to 2-1 without James, with Hachimura playing a vital role in their recent successes. Looking ahead, the Kings will host the Dallas Mavericks, while the Lakers will continue their homestand against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
