The Los Angeles Lakers continued their perfect start to the 2024-25 season as they improved to 3-0 with a 131-127 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. It was a back-and-forth contest for much of the night but LeBron James ensured that the Lakers would emerge victorious with a stunning display.
James had 32 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, and one block on the night as he recorded his first triple-double of the campaign. The 39-year-old scored 16 of those points in the fourth quarter and Lakers fans on X sang his and the team’s praises after the game.
“LeBron is the GOAT,” one fan wrote.
“JJ might be the new Phil Jackson,” said one fan who is all aboard the JJ Redick hype train.
“Best duo and the best team in the league,” said another who believes the Lakers are the best team and have the best duo.
“Great game. LeBron is special,” one fan wrote following James’ heroics.
“League shaking. Here we come,” said a fan who is bullish about the Lakers’ prospects for 2024-25.
The Lakers were down 94-87 entering the fourth quarter but LeBron wiped out that deficit in an instant. The 20-time All-Star scored all 16 of those points within the first four minutes of the quarter and by the time he was done, the Lakers were up 108-94 with 8:23 left in the game. The Kings made it close at the end, but the damage was done and they fell short.
LeBron wasn’t quite at his sizzling best in the Lakers’ first two games of the season, but you knew it was only a matter of time before he erupted. With this performance, the four-time MVP has put to bed any talk of him slowing down in his 22nd season.
James also got plenty of help from his co-star Anthony Davis in this one. Davis had 31 points, nine rebounds, two assists, three steals, and two blocks in the contest. That made it three straight 30-point games to start the season for the Lakers star and he is on a tear.
With this win, Davis finally managed to beat Domantas Sabonis for the first time in his career as well. He was 0-10 against Sabonis coming into this contest and has finally broken that duck.
As for Sabonis, he had a triple-double of his own here. The three-time All-Star finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and one block but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Kings from falling to 0-2 on the season.
I wouldn’t hit the panic button just yet, though, considering it is so early on and they have faced the Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Kings face the Portland Trail Blazers next and I would be shocked if they don’t get their first win of the campaign there.
The Lakers, meanwhile, sit pretty at the top of the standings in the West now. The JJ Redick era has gotten off to the best possible start and the doubters are having to eat some humble pie at the moment. I am still not going to go as far as to call them a contender, but if they keep this up, it won’t be long before I do.
