LeBron James added another memorable chapter to his long-running rivalry with Stephen Curry in a double-overtime thriller Saturday night, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The 39-year-old James collected 20 rebounds for the first time in his career as part of a triple double that also included 36 points and 12 assists. After sinking two game-wining free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining, James reflected on his many battles with Curry, which include four NBA Finals.
“It’s been a treat to go against one of the greatest to ever play this game,” James said. “For us to continue to push each other at the state of our careers, you don’t take it for granted because you don’t know how many times you’re actually going to get the moment to actually be on the same floor with such a talent.”
Both players continue to amaze late in their careers, even though the Lakers and Warriors are struggling to reach the play-in tournament. Curry, who scored 46 points and hit a late three-pointer to give Golden State the lead, also talked about what it means to face another all-time great.
“Every year that we get to do this and go back and forth, the battles — the Finals runs, the playoff battles last year — after the horn sounded tonight there was a little laugh of, I can’t imagine a scenario where a game like tonight happens, [with] him in Season 21 and me in Year 15,” Curry said. “You look forward to the battles, but you also appreciate the mutual respect of what it takes to keep doing what you’re doing at this level. Only a few people know how hard it is. I’m happy to be in that group.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- Anthony Davis had to leave Saturday’s game due to hip spasms, but he was able to return and told reporters, “I’m good,” tweets Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Davis explained that it’s the same area of his body where he’s experienced a groin injury for most of the season.
- Even though he came off the bench, Jarred Vanderbilt played more than 40 minutes with 14 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals. According to Buha (Twitter link), coach Darvin Ham deflected a question about whether he’ll consider returning Vanderbilt to the starting lineup. “Well, right now, I’ll consider getting me something to eat, a nice glass of wine and consider sleeping very soon here,” Ham said. “Getting a good night’s sleep. No lineup questions, please.”
- Saturday marked the opener of a six-game road trip that could determine how active the Lakers will be at the trade deadline, notes Khobi Price of The Orange County Register.
The true beginning of this incredible rivalry was when Steph just destroyed NC State in Charlotte with Bron sitting courtside… link to m.youtube.com
Classic ref help win for the LeLakers. They don’t even try to hide it anymore.
C’mon, the refs sucked both ways last night. That should’ve totally been a flagrant on Draymond in OT. That would’ve determined the game.
and slapped lebron in the face at the start of his last drive to the hoop.
Nothing says “sucked both ways” like a 43-16 free throw margin in a 1 pt “win”. Steph shot 3 free throws despite 9 shots in the paint, Dlo 7 ftas on 6 shots in the paint.
Lane violation call gives him another chance. Inadvertent whistle takes away a GSW possession. Absurd offensive foul called on Saric as Vanderbilt flopped. 2 GSW starters fouled out and 2 more had 5 fouls, no Laker with more than 4. Those were just a few of the lowlights.
Kerr should never have challenged the foul on Lebron because everyone in the NBA knows Refs never call fouls on LeBron.
Fact. A smarter coach would never waste his challenge so early if there was contact, that it was Lebron is beside the point. Te refs won’t overturn a call even if there were fouls both ways on the same play.
I didn’t watch this particular game so I can’t speak on that, but why are free throws supposed to be even? Didn’t the Warriors shoot 20+ more 3s than the Lakers? I hear more coaches talking about this after games. I just want consistency from the refs. I don’t care what the players name is. If it’s a foul call it.
No one said they’re supposed to be even, but when you watch a game and see zero contact called a foul on one end and lots of contact a no call on the other, it matters. It definitely affects the outcomes of close games like this one.
Lakers & Warriors play totally different basketball. You can’t foul if you don’t play defense.
Lakers are also a lot bigger than the Warriors. Turns out being tall is advantageous in basketball.
So you are saying if a player is bigger the Refs should not call fouls on them?
Small players tend to have to foul to defend bigger players.
It should never went into OT if they called the obvious offensive foul on AD which instead they called it on Curry. Even the national broadcasters said that is a offensive foul. The kick ball by lakers into a 3 pt play in 1st quarter.
Should have never gotten to overtime except they blew 2 calls that werent fouls and missed 2 on the LAL in the last 4 min of the game including fouling Steph on the game tying layup that should have been an and 1 and over….
Cant be 43-16 and have them sucking both ways. Warriors were in the paint more than LAL through regular time…
What planet were you watching the game from. Here on Earth the Warriors shot 58 three pointers to the Lakers 27. The suggestion that the Warriors were in the paint sounds about as truthful as what you’d hear at a Trump rally.
1154-921. That’s the Lakers free throw attempt advantage thus far this season. The NBA is a farce. It’s essentially pro wrestling.
NBA wants the Lakers in the playoffs.
Never should of went to overtime Green got away with a hit to the face of Davis, technical foul game over and warriors crying about free throws all they do is shoot threes that’s their fault
Now that is funny. If refs called the kick ball there is no 3 pt shot by lakers and game over
There also should have been no calls on Russells mid range on Steph or AD on Steph on the rebound, and to call a jump ball over the inadvertent whistle was lunacy…
Typical warriors fan. Always blame losses on the refs. When they win it’s because they are good.
Lakers haven’t gotten Dejounte yet??? All this talk about making progress and still nothing. More help needed as usual.
Probably a lot of negotiating right up to the deadline. Atlanta will try to get the best offer, which will probably come from another team. Lakers aren’t trying to give away all of their limited assets.
James is logging a lot of minutes on his 39yr old body. Lakers going to run him into ground just to finish .500
He’ll get breathers standing at the free throw line. Oh, and flopping.
Just be happy you picked up some championships with curry the windows closing won’t hear from you guys for another 40 years lol
KD won two of those titles for the Dubbies.
Just be happy you picked up some championships with curry the windows closing won’t hear from you guys for another 40 years lol
As long as Jeanie and crew are running the lakers they won’t be winning either lmao. Absolute clown show of a front office
We are relevant every decade compete for championships like I said we won’t hear from you guys for another 40 years, warrior fans came out of nowhere I’m surprised you have more than a thousand fans LOL
Will Atlanta settle for less at the Deadline. Murray knows now he is not wanted in ATL. We shall see!