Witness LeBron James’ stunning 21-point fourth-quarter surge as the Lakers rally to beat the Clippers 116-112, marking James’ largest career comeback.
LeBron James’ Record-Breaking Fourth-Quarter Heroics
In a thrilling showdown on Wednesday night, LeBron James orchestrated a remarkable 21-point comeback in the fourth quarter, propelling the Lakers to a thrilling 116-112 victory over the Clippers. This historic feat stands as the greatest fourth-quarter comeback in James’ illustrious 21-year career, as reported by ESPN Stats & Information.
James showcased his unparalleled skill by outscoring the Clippers 19-16 in the final quarter, nailing 5-of-8 three-pointers and dishing out four assists to seal the victory in what has been dubbed the “hallway series” between the two Los Angeles rivals. Notably, this matchup marked the final regular-season game for both teams sharing the same arena, with the Clippers set to debut the new Intuit Dome next season.
The momentum shifted dramatically as James drained three consecutive three-pointers within the first 3:13 of the fourth quarter, swiftly narrowing the Clippers’ lead to nine points and prompting a timeout from Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.
Reflecting on his extraordinary performance, James remarked, “It’s just a zone, and you can’t really describe it. Although you wish you could stay there forever, as soon as the game is over, it definitely checks out. But during it, you don’t feel anything. It’s just like a superpower feel.”
Despite a lackluster start for the Lakers in the initial three quarters, James, known for his clutch performances, rose to the occasion yet again.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham praised James’ resilience, stating, “He had to take the cape, tuck it under his seat on the bench, I guess… It was time for him to whip it out. He undoubtedly achieved that; after donning the cape, he became combative and found his rhythm.”
”
The Lakers capitalized on seven turnovers by the Clippers in the fourth quarter, converting them into 18 crucial points to complete the stunning comeback.
With this victory, the Lakers currently occupy the 9th spot in the Western Conference playoff race, trailing the 5th-seeded Phoenix Suns by just three games with 22 games remaining in the season.
Not only did James shine offensively, but he also assumed the challenge of guarding Clippers star Kawhi Leonard in the second half, demonstrating his defensive prowess in pivotal moments.
In the words of James, “If I’m on the floor, I got to make plays. On occasion, I was able to create even more plays. And it was one of those nights tonight.”
Teammate Anthony Davis echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the privilege of witnessing James’ greatness firsthand while emphasizing the significance of the victory for the Lakers.
In conclusion, the Lakers’ triumph over the Clippers serves as a monumental reassurance for the team, signaling their resurgence as contenders in the Western Conference playoff race.