Really this is written right that he wins the First One. In Las Vegas, the NBA’s maiden in-season tournament has offered a perfect stage for proving, just weeks before his 39th birthday, that he’s still at the peak of his abilities.
Amidst striking theater lighting that set the ambiance for the semifinals at T-Mobile Arena, James delivered a remarkable performance on Thursday against the Lakers’ earlier rivals, securing a slot in Saturday’s championship game.
Surprisingly, before this recent break, James contemplated departing from the sport and its competitive realm, despite evidently excelling within it. “If you decide to retire, or whatever the case may be, you’re not a part of it anymore, so it wouldn’t be me leaving it on the table because I would have never had the table set,” James told ESPN. “But I’m happy that I’m here. This is a pretty cool moment, and let’s see if we can capitalize on it. It’s been good. It’s been dope.”
The basketball luminary, in his 21st season, has showcased such consistent brilliance that exceptional displays like his against the Pelicans, where he shot 9 for 12 (including 4 of 4 from 3-point range), committed zero turnovers, and maintained a plus-minus of plus-36 in just 23 minutes, almost seem commonplace for him.
Nonetheless, contemplating that James is nearly as old as Shaquille O’Neal, who retired in 2011 and watched courtside during the tournament, makes his on-court exploits even more unfathomable.
His sequence of three consecutive 3-pointers within 61 seconds during the second quarter, particularly the last shot from a staggering 30 feet out, emphasized Los Angeles’ dominance.
“LeBron was on full display,” observed Pelicans coach Willie Green. “He understands these moments.”
It harkened back to James’ initial encounter in 2020, where he scored 11 consecutive points in the third quarter, establishing his supremacy over the then-rookie sensation.
Williamson’s performance on Thursday resulted in 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, prompting his acknowledgment of needing to elevate his game: “I got to be better. I got to be more aggressive finding my shot. I got to do more things to get my team going. I think I was too laid-back tonight.”
While James’ offensive prowess was noteworthy, his defensive contributions were equally remarkable, exemplified by his readiness to absorb contact, even from the youthful Williamson, a move that resonated with his teammates.
Asked about the physicality at his age, James quipped, “Listen man, not for that 500, I ain’t,” referring to the $500,000 prize for the tournament winners.
In a tremendous second quarter, James tallied 18 points, contributing significantly to Los Angeles’ 67-54 lead at halftime. The third quarter saw a decisive surge, with the Lakers dominating 43-17, finishing it with a commanding 110-71 lead.
Although James spearheaded the charge, the Lakers demonstrated prowess across the board, shooting 48.6% from 3-point range, outrebounding the Pelicans 59-42, and showcasing teamwork with 31 assists on 47 field goals made.
Five other Lakers reached double-digit points, led by Davis’ impressive performance. James, in his limited time, made history by becoming the first player to record 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in 23 minutes or fewer.
Having initially struggled at 3-5, the Lakers have since rallied, winning three consecutive games and maintaining a 7-3 record in their last 10, climbing to No. 4 in the Western Conference.
Coach Darvin Ham commended the tournament’s timing, injecting excitement into the season’s midpoint. “Now being here in Vegas, it’s definitely a really thick electricity that’s happening that’s reverberating all the way through the arena, through the teams. Everybody is excited to try to give it their best shot.”
James remains focused on the imminent championship game: “We’ve got to finish our breakfast on Saturday,” he said, quoting a Jay-Z lyric about completing tasks.
Afterward, the Lakers will continue their pursuit of the NBA championship in June, striving to build momentum and establish themselves as the best team daily, aligning with their tournament goals.
