02/05/26 11:42:00
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02/05 23:41 CST Austin Reaves scores 35, Lakers overcome Luka's injury
departure for 119-115 win over Sixers
Austin Reaves scores 35, Lakers overcome Luka's injury departure for 119-115
win over Sixers
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Austin Reaves scored 35 points in just 25 minutes, and the
Los Angeles Lakers overcame Luka Doncic's departure with a left leg injury for
a 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.
LeBron James had 17 points and 10 assists for the Lakers, who snapped
Philadelphia's five-game winning streak with a big second-half rally in their
first game back from a draining eight-game road trip.
Joel Embiid had 35 points and Tyrese Maxey added 26 points and 13 assists for
the 76ers, who blew a 14-point lead and nearly came back from a 16-point
deficit in the second half of their first loss since Jan. 26.
The Lakers led 110-94 with four minutes left, but Philadelphia closed the gap
to 116-113 when rookie VJ Edgecombe stole James' inbounds pass and hit a
3-pointer with 36 seconds to play. James made eight turnovers.
But Maxi Kleber fed Rui Hachimura for a dunk with 12 seconds left, and the
Lakers hung on.
With 12-of-17 shooting and five 3-pointers while coming off the bench, Reaves
was phenomenal despite playing on a minutes restriction in his second game back
from a 5 1/2-week absence with a calf injury.
But just when the Lakers' core was finally healthy again, Doncic went down
during their fifth win in seven games.
The NBA's leading scorer limped to the locker room with 3:03 left in the first
half after apparently hurting his leg on the far end of the court moments
earlier. He didn't return for the second half due to what the Lakers called
left leg soreness.
Reaves, Doncic and James were playing in only their 10th game together during a
season in which all three have struggled with significant injuries.
The Lakers took their first lead with Reaves' back-to-back 3-pointers to open
the fourth on a 21-6 run.
Up next
76ers: At Phoenix on Saturday.
Lakers: Host Golden State on Saturday.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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