LeBron James Electrifies NBA Fans in Lakers’ Comeback Win vs. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron James outscored the Los Angeles Clippers by himself in the fourth quarter en route to helping the L.A. Lakers overcome a 21-point deficit en route to a 116-112 win.
StatMuse @statmuse
In the 4th quarter:
LeBron — Clippers —
19 PTS 16 PTS
5 3P 1 3P
Extra StatMuse @extra_muse
LeBron James in the 4th quarter:
19 points
5 threes
4 assists1st player in the Play-by-Play Era (since 1996-97) to reach those numbers in a single 4th quarter. Only 39 years old. 👑 pic.twitter.com/hIPrbRPfpA
StatMuse @statmuse
LeBron tonight:
— 34/6/8
— 62/58/100%
— 19 points in the 4th
— 2nd career 5-3P fourth quarter
— Outscored the Clippers in the 4th
— Largest 4th quarter comeback of his careerHe’s only 39 years old. https://t.co/y6ep206zVB
The Clips led 98-77 in the first minute of the fourth quarter after a Mason Plumlee layup. But it was all LeBron from there as he added another highlight to his legendary 21-year NBA career.
James scored 19 points in the fourth to the Clippers’ 16. He also assisted on 11 more points, so he was directly responsible for 30 of the Lakers’ 39 fourth-quarter points.
The biggest dime occurred with the game tied at 106, when James found Rui Hachimura to give the Lakers the lead for good.
NBA @NBA
Rui corner three puts the Lakers up 3, cutting a 21-point deficit on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/SbIXV9BBC0
That was part of a 12-0 Laker run which began with five LeBron points:
NBA @NBA
First the tough banker, then the top of the key 3… LeBron is going to WORK in the 4Q 😤💪 https://t.co/NEzeRvSfVf pic.twitter.com/e1qBKWvYl0
The Lakers then led 111-106 and also 114-108 a few moments later, but a pair of Kawhi Leonard buckets couple with some Clips stops gave the team a chance to tie or win the game.
Enter James, who forced Leonard to take a tough baseline jumper that was well off the mark. LeBron grabbed the ball and threw it down court to Cam Reddish for a bucket and the exclamation point on this game.
NBA @NBA
Lakers hold on and get the W!
Erased a 21-point 4Q deficit. pic.twitter.com/k79NKo726o
Afterward, James stressed the importance of never giving up:
ESPN @espn
“The game is not ever over until it’s double zeroes.”
—LeBron James after the biggest 4Q comeback of his career pic.twitter.com/i8f3GfZyc0
And with that, the 39-year-old James left a legion of fans and analysts in awe once again.
LakeShowYo @LakeShowYo
RT IF YOU THINK LEBRON IS THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER OF ALL TIME 🐐 pic.twitter.com/HieYD3H7im
Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Don’t take LeBron James for granted. pic.twitter.com/cSATxw40Mf
GoldenKnight @GoldenKnightGFX
LeBron doing things in 2024 that haven’t been done since the year he was drafted. pic.twitter.com/2LXzOxArzC
Sam Yeezy @samstaydipped
Lebron outscored the Clippers by himself in the 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/EwiB8MSeL7
Raj C. @RajChipalu
LeBron switch hunted Harden’s soul every possession and took this game. Holy shit.
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Lebron cooked the Clippers to a burnt crisp offensively and then locked up Kawhi when it mattered defensively.
He shouldn’t have to do that at this age lol
O’Shea Jackson Jr @OsheaJacksonJr
This mf Lebron James is a psychopath!!!! Possibly the last clipper home game against the Lakers (in the same arena) and yo ass turn on the Time Machine.
Actually I take that back. He just still like that.
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
This Mf LeBron just took over this damn game. Come on Kawhi!!! Fight back.
ً @JWepp
People watch performances like that from LeBron, and still say he is not the greatest of all time. FOOLS 😭
Dick Vitale @DickieV
An incredible comeback by @Lakers as ALL the talents of @KingJames were on display at winning time as he outscored the Clippers in the last quarter . LeBron to led Lakers to the W vs @LAClippers R u serious LeBron WOW 39 yrs old .Resume keeps getting better – did I hear GOAT ?
GOWIE @DaKidGowie
LeBron is too old to be doing this sh*t, man. At 39, he’s supposed to be a full-time mentor, not having 4th quarter takeovers! 😮💨🔥
LeBron History 🏀 @bronhistory
Feel lucky to be witnessing this.
A performance for the ages.
LEBRON MF JAMES 🐐👑
coach xavier @thexavierjoseph
lebron james since the all star break:
30.7 ppg
9.7 asts
6.7 rebs61/57/57 splits
(only 7 free throw attempts)
🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨🫨 pic.twitter.com/rPwpFQNmqm
The 32-28 Lakers have now won eight of their last 11 games and have a chance to continue the hot streak with 10 of their next 11 contests at home, where they’ve excelled (20-9 vs. 12-19 on the road). That stretch begins with the Washington Wizards on Thursday.