LOS ANGELES — It has been a rough start for the Philadelphia 76ers in this 2024-25 season. And it didn’t get any better on Friday night.
LeBron James carved the 114th triple-double of his Hall-of-Fame career to propel Los Angeles past the skidding Sixers, 116-106, at the Crypto.com Arena. James ended up with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists.
As if The King wasn’t hot enough to handle, he came with the entire purple-and-gold cavalry.
Anthony Davis carded 31 points and 9 rebounds. Austin Reaves added 20 and 7 assists while D’Angelo Russell pitched in 18 points and a modest three dimes off the bench to help the Lakers shoot a high 51.8 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from three (16-of-35).
An underlining narrative on this Lakers’ victory was Russell’s shift from the starting line-up and into the bench. But it turned out just fine.
“I just wanted to win so whatever it took.Change of plans whatever it is and whatever the coach needs, just try to get the win and be a big partof that,” D-Lo told reporters.
The way Russell has handled his changed role pleased Lakers coach JJ Redick who said “I’m not surprised that he handled the game in the way he did and that he had the performance he had. He’s been accepting of the role.”
The Sixers, meanwhile, plummeted to 1-7.
Andre Drummond and Guershon Yabusele led the losing cause with a combined 28 points and 17 rebounds, but Paul George struggled mightily in his return to Los Angeles since leaving in the offseason, carding a mere 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting. (VCV).
