LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Reeves scored 35 points in just 25 minutes and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame Luka Doncic’s injured left leg to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 119-115 on Thursday night.
LeBron James had 17 points and 10 assists for the Lakers, who ended Philadelphia’s five-game winning streak with a strong performance in the first game of the second half after a grueling eight-game road trip.
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Joel Embiid scored 35 points and Tyrese Maxey added 26 points and 13 assists for the 76ers, who blew a 14-point lead in the second half and nearly came back from a 16-point deficit for their first loss since January 26.
The Lakers led 110-94 with four minutes left, but Philadelphia narrowed the gap to 116-113 with 36 seconds left when rookie VJ Edgecombe stole an inbounds pass from James and hit a three-pointer. James turned the ball over eight times.
But Maxi Kleber dunked on Hachimura with 12 seconds left, and the Lakers held on.
Reeves, who came off the bench to hit 12 of 17 shots and hit five 3-pointers, performed well despite being limited in his minutes in his second game back from a 5 1/2-week layoff with a calf injury.
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But just when the Lakers’ core was finally healthy, Doncic collapsed in their fifth win in seven games.
The NBA’s leading scorer limped back to the locker room with 3:03 left in the first half after suffering an apparent injury on the far end of the court. He did not return in the second half due to what the Lakers said was soreness in his left leg.
Reeves, Doncic and James played only their tenth game this season, and all three suffered serious injuries.
Reeves hit consecutive three-pointers, and the Lakers opened the fourth quarter with a 21-6 climax.
Next
76ers: At Phoenix on Saturday.
Lakers: Host Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
