NBA: LeBron James makes clutch plays as Lakers edge Suns

LeBron James delivered at both ends in the closing seconds as the Los Angeles Lakers edged the Phoenix Suns 116-114 on Sunday night in a dramatic finish.

James put the Lakers ahead with two free throws with three seconds remaining, then sealed the victory by blocking Grayson Allen’s potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. Los Angeles survived a frantic final sequence to earn the road win.

Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 29 points, while James finished with 26. Deandre Ayton recorded a double-double with 20 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Los Angeles trailed 77-71 late in the third quarter before clamping down defensively, holding Phoenix scoreless for 8:05 spanning the third and fourth periods. The Lakers used a decisive 24-0 run to surge ahead 95-77.

Phoenix briefly regained the lead at 114-113 when Dillon Brooks drilled his fourth 3-pointer of the fourth quarter with 12.2 seconds left. However, Brooks was assessed a second technical foul for celebrating and was ejected. James missed the ensuing free throw but then drew a three-shot foul on Devin Booker with a pull-up attempt from beyond the arc. He made two of the three free throws to put the Lakers back in front.

The Suns had one last chance, but James swatted away Allen’s 3-point attempt. Marcus Smart was fouled after securing the rebound and made one free throw to extend the margin to two points.

Phoenix went cold after taking a 77-71 lead on Booker’s free throws with 5:28 left in the third quarter, not scoring again until the third minute of the fourth. During that drought, the Suns missed 14 consecutive shots and committed seven turnovers.

Despite missing 12 of his 14 attempts from 3-point range, Doncic still finished as the game’s top scorer. The Lakers struggled from deep, shooting just 7-for-37 from beyond the arc. Jaxson Hayes added 12 points as Los Angeles avenged a 125-108 home loss to the Suns earlier this season.

Booker paced Phoenix with 27 points, while Mark Williams added 20 and Brooks scored 18. The Suns outshot the Lakers overall, 48.8% to 43.2%, and from 3-point range, 35.1% to 18.9%, but could not overcome their extended scoring drought.

Allen finished with 13 points and seven assists, sharing team-high assist honors with Booker. Royce O’Neale contributed 12 points, and Collin Gillespie chipped in 10 for Phoenix. -Field Level Media Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images/Reuters