Sports

LeBron James Electrifies NBA Fans in Lakers’ Comeback Win vs. Kawhi Leonard, Clippers

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIFebruary 29, 2024

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 28: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on February 28, 2024 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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

👑 pic.twitter.com/fhusoyKbwF

Extra StatMuse @extra_muse

LeBron James in the 4th quarter:

19 points
5 threes
4 assists

1st 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 career

He’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 rebs

61/57/57 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.

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