ATLANTA – Trae Young hit a three-pointer with 7.4 seconds left in overtime, and the Atlanta Hawks inflicted a heartbreaking loss (134 to 132) on the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
The Hawks have the last word against the Lakers who are experiencing more difficult times, signing a sixth consecutive victory.
Young scored 31 points and made 20 baskets for his teammates to lead the “ Big Two » from the Lakers.
LeBron James gave 39 points and some great defensive plays, while Anthony Davis scored 38 points.
James increased his impressive actions, especially during the tense ending of the game. For example, he sent a three-point shot off one leg, then tied it 12 seconds from the buzzer to force overtime.
The “King”, who will celebrate his 40th birthday at the end of the month, also collected 10 rebounds and dished out 11 assists, including some outstanding assists, which helped keep the Lakers.
It wasn’t enough to prevent LA from suffering its third straight loss, and seventh in its last nine outings.
James was given a chance to win the game for the Lakers, but his three-point attempt hit the ring in the last half.
With the score tied at 119-119, Atlanta got the last possession, and Young’s long shot was blocked by Max Christie. James collided with Davis as the two star players tried to retrieve the loose ball.
The 39-year-old legend appeared to hit a knee and groaned in pain, before returning to the game in time for overtime. He stood up with an outstanding block on the Hawks’ counter-attack, but a final miss ended the celebrations.
De’Andre Hunter gave 26 points, Bogdan Bogdanovic had six.
They did damage from outside the perimeter with records of 5 for 7 and 4 for 9, respectively.
The Hawks are riding their best hitting streak since January 2022 (a seven-game winning streak).
Wembanyama missed the second game in a row
Frenchman Victor Wembanyama, the rising star of the San Antonio Spurs, withdrew from the game against Sacramento and missed the second game in a row due to “lower back pain”, his team announced.
Wembanyama (20) went from “uncertain” to “forfeit” in the pre-match medical report published by Spurs a few hours before kick-off.
The Frenchman shined against Sacramento on Sunday (34 points in a triple-double with the win), before barely appearing against Phoenix on Tuesday then missing the Spurs’ loss against Chicago on Thursday.
He could return Sunday for a home game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Elsewhere in the NBA:
Orlando 94 – Philadelphia 102
ENT : Franz Wagner scored 30 points.
PHI: Paul George with 21 points and KJ Martin with 20 points led the way in the victory.
Milwaukee 105 – Boston 111
MILL : Giannis Antetokounmpo had a double-double of 30 points and eleven rebounds. Bobby Portis grabbed 18 rebounds.
BOSS : With 34 points and ten rebounds, Jayson Tatum was the author of the double. Jaylen Brown scored 25 points.
Indiana 132 – Chicago 123
IND : Tyrese Haliburton scored 23 points while Montreal’s Bennedict Mathurin collected 19 points.
CHI : Zach LaVine was the top scorer of his team with 32 points.
Sacramento 140 – San Antonio 113
SAC : DeMar DeRozan (23 pts), Domantas Sabonis (22 pts), De’Aaron Fox (22 pts) and Malik Monk (22 pts) led the charge.
AT : Julian Champagnie was the top scorer of the game with 30 points.
Minnesota 107 – Golden State 90
MIN : Anthony Edwards scored 30 points and 9 assists.
GS: Steph Curry was limited to 23 points and 4 assists.
Utah 141 – Portland 99
UTA: Walker Kessler provided 17 rebounds, 13 points and 5 blocks.
BY: Dalano Banton had 19 points and 4 assists in the loss.