LeBron James' NBA Debut Anniversary Spoiled In Overtime Loss To Kings

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James

LeBron James, on the anniversary of his NBA debut, faced a bitter overtime loss against the Sacramento Kings on October 29, 2003.

Despite LeBron's impressive career with four NBA championships and the all-time scoring record, the Lakers struggled to secure a win in the same city and on the same date 20 years later. The passage of time highlights James' incredible journey, with more than half of his life dedicated to professional basketball.

Newcomer Jalen Hood-Schifino, born three months after James' debut, emphasized the stark contrast in age and experience. While the Lakers retained much of their core from the Western Conference finals, the team's performance this season has felt different.

Photo: Instagram/LeBron James

Coach Darvin Ham admitted to ongoing adjustments, including experimenting with rotations. Despite LeBron's remarkable effort, scoring 27 points, the Lakers faltered, making just two of ten three-point attempts in the crucial fourth quarter and overtime.

In addition, James' eight turnovers, including one at the start and end of overtime, proved costly. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 30 points. The Lakers struggled early in the game, falling behind by double digits in the first quarter, forcing them to play catch-up.

They managed to take the lead in the second half, with Taurean Prince finding his rhythm from beyond the arc and the team frequently visiting the free-throw line. However, the Lakers couldn't capitalize, and Sacramento emerged victorious, led by Malik Monk's 11 points in overtime.

Austin Reaves had a challenging game, going one for 12 from the field and one for eight from three-point range. The Lakers, as a team, missed a staggering 30 three-point shots.

As the Lakers head back to Los Angeles for the second leg of a back-to-back with the Magic, the team faces the challenge of finding its rhythm early in the season.

Read Next: Hiroya Miyagi Pitches Buffaloes To Victory, Tying Japan Series

Source: Los Angeles Times 

Comments

Post a Comment

Trending Now

Darius Morris, Former Lakers Guard, Passes Away at 33

Image
Photo: Instagram/Darius Morris Former Los Angeles Lakers guard Darius Morris passed away this week at the age of 33, confirmed by TMZ Sports. His family issued a statement asking for privacy. His body was found in Los Angeles on Thursday, with no further details disclosed. Morris had a successful basketball career, starting from high school in Los Angeles and later at the University of Michigan, where he set records. Photo: Instagram/Darius Morris He was drafted by the Lakers in 2011 and played alongside Kobe Bryant . Morris also played for other NBA teams and later pursued his career overseas. He leaves behind a legacy in the basketball community. Read Next: Los Angeles Lakers Face Hurdles In Pursuit of Tyronn Lue As Head Coach Source: TMZ Sports  
Read More

Rudy Gobert Misses Game 2 For Son's Birth; High Winds Foil Return

Image
Photo: Instagram/Rudy Gobert Minnesota Timberwolves' center Rudy Gobert was absent for Game 2 of their Western Conference semifinal showdown against the Denver Nuggets due to the birth of his son.  Gobert, who played a pivotal role in their Game 1 victory, was unable to make it back to Denver in time for the game due to disruptive weather conditions, particularly high winds in Colorado. The absence of Gobert posed a challenge for the Wolves, as he played a significant defensive role in their previous win, limiting key players like Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokic . Photo: Instagram/Rudy Gobert Without him, the team had to adjust their defensive strategy, with coach Chris Finch mentioning that Kyle Anderson might step up to defend Jokic while emphasizing the importance of Karl-Anthony Towns ' role in the game. Meanwhile, the Nuggets faced uncertainty regarding Jamal Murray 's availability due to a strained left calf. Despite this, coach Michael Malone expressed confidence i
Read More

UFC's Dana White Calls Out Netflix For Short Time Slot at Tom Brady Roast

Image
Photo: Instagram/Dana White During Netflix's recent special, "The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady ," UFC president Dana White didn't hold back, taking aim at the streaming giant for only giving him a minute on stage to roast the seven-time Super Bowl champ. Expressing his frustration, White joked, "It p---es me off. I flew all the way out here and you guys give me 60 seconds? My name is Dana. Is that not trans enough for you liberal f---s?" White, who was part of the star-studded audience, took the opportunity to deliver some zingers aimed at Brady and comedian Jeff Ross. Photo: Instagram/Dana White The roast, hosted by Tony Hinchcliffe of "Kill Tony," featured a segment called "Kill Tommy," where White seized his moment to fire off a few humorous shots. This isn't the first time White has made headlines for speaking out. In October, UFC renewed its partnership with Anheuser-Busch, making the company its official beer sponsor. 
Read More

Anthony Edwards Joins Kobe Bryant On Historic NBA List

Image
Photo: Instagram/Anthony Edwards In a stunning Game 1 performance against the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves' sensation Anthony Edwards stole the spotlight, notching an impressive 43 points.  This remarkable feat propelled him into the elite company of NBA legend Kobe Bryant , making him the only other player in history to achieve consecutive 40-point playoff games at the youthful age of 22 or younger. Edwards' meteoric rise to prominence continues as he showcases his talent on the playoff stage. With each game, he solidifies his status as a bona fide star, elevating the Timberwolves' prospects in the postseason.  Photo: Instagram/Anthony Edwards His exceptional performance not only underscores his individual prowess but also bolsters Minnesota's chances of upsetting the defending champions and making a championship run of their own. The matchup between Minnesota and Denver promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams demonstrating a deep respect for eac
Read More

Naoya Inoue Bounces Back From Knockdown To Knockout Luis Nery In Six Rounds

Image
Photo: Instagram/Naoya Inoue Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue showed true grit and resilience as he overcame an early knockdown to deliver a stunning knockout victory against Mexican challenger Luis Nery.  In a thrilling match at the Tokyo Dome on Monday, Inoue wowed the crowd by dropping Nery three times before securing a sixth-round knockout.  Despite being floored by a powerful left hook in the first round, Inoue fought back fiercely, flooring Nery with a counter left hook in the second round. Photo: Instagram/Naoya Inoue The momentum continued as Inoue sent Nery to the canvas again in the fifth round with another impressive left hook.  Finally, in the sixth round, a massive straight right from Inoue sealed the deal, knocking Nery out cold at the 1:22 mark.  En 20 años se hablará que fue un mexicano, de Tijuana, un corajudo llamado Luis Nery que mandó por primera vez a la lona al miembro del salón de la fama de Canastota y mejor peleador en la historia de Japón 🇯🇵 Naoya Inoue Y que fue
Read More

Jamal Murray Opens Up About NBA Fine

Image
Photo: Instagram/Jamal Murray Jamal Murray , Denver Nuggets' star player, spoke out about his recent NBA punishment following a controversial incident during Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Murray's actions during the game, which included throwing a heat pack onto the court during live play and making a money gesture toward the referees, resulted in a hefty $100,000 fine imposed by the NBA. Initially silent on the matter after Game 2, Murray finally addressed the punishment, stating, "It is what it is. I take full responsibility, onto the next." Photo: Instagram/Jamal Murray Many NBA fans and analysts anticipated a possible suspension for Murray due to the potentially dangerous nature of his actions. However, it seems his clean record played a role in the leniency of the punishment. Despite Murray's acknowledgment of responsibility, Nuggets' head coach Michael Malone expressed disappointment in the team's re
Read More

Victor Wembanyama Wins NBA Rookie of The Year In Unanimous Vote

Image
Photo: Instagram/Victor Wembanyama Victor Wembanyama , the 7-foot-4 French sensation, has secured the NBA Rookie of the Year title in a historic unanimous vote. Coming into the league with immense hype, Wembanyama lived up to every expectation, dazzling fans and pundits alike with his extraordinary skills on both ends of the court. The San Antonio Spurs' top pick instantly became a centerpiece for the team, shouldering a superstar workload from the onset. Despite the team's struggles, Wembanyama's individual brilliance shone through, earning him comparisons to NBA legends and rewriting the rookie record books. His statistical dominance is unparalleled among rookies, with impressive numbers across the board. Wembanyama's impact on the game transcended traditional stats, as he showcased a rare combination of offensive prowess and defensive tenacity. Photo: Instagram/Victor Wembanyama Wembanyama's achievement is made even more remarkable by his age, as he displayed mat
Read More

NBA Slaps Jamal Murray With $100,000 Fine For Heat Pack Incident

Image
Photo: Instagram/Jamal Murray Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets won't face suspension after tossing a heat pack onto the court during Monday's Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.  However, the NBA has hit him with a hefty $100,000 fine, the league announced Tuesday. Murray's frustration boiled over during the first half, with the Nuggets trailing by 17 points. Sitting on the bench, he chucked a heat pack onto the court mid-play, though officials didn't catch it at the time, sparing him a technical foul during the game. Despite discussions with officials throughout the half, Murray seemed to disagree with a call, leading to the heat pack incident. Fortunately, no one was harmed, and play resumed after a brief stoppage to remove the pack from the court. Photo: Instagram/Jamal Murray Both coaches, Michael Malone of the Nuggets and Chris Finch of the Timberwolves, commented on the incident, expressing concern over its dangerous nature. Referee Marc Davis admitted
Read More

J.J. Watt Claps Back at Austin Rivers' NFL-NBA Comparison, Walks Back Comments

Image
Photo: Instagram/J.J. Watt Future NFL Hall of Famer J.J. Watt responded to NBA player Austin Rivers ' claim that 30 NBA players could transition to the NFL, sparking a social media exchange between the two athletes. Rivers, speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show," suggested that while NBA players could excel in football, the reverse wouldn't hold true. Watt, catching wind of Rivers' comments, took to social media to sarcastically remark, "You don't have a job in either right now, go head and try it." Photo: Instagram/J.J. Watt However, Rivers defended his stance, citing examples of NBA players he believes could succeed in the NFL, including Anthony Edwards , LeBron James , Zion Williamson , and Derrick Rose . He clarified that his comments weren't meant to disrespect Watt, acknowledging Watt's football legacy. Rivers, who last played with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2022-23 NBA season, hasn't pursued football professionally. “I can take 3
Read More

Nuggets' Nikola Jokic Clinches 2023-24 Kia MVP Title

Image
Photo: Instagram/Nikola Jokic Denver's star center, Nikola Jokic , has snagged the coveted title of the 2023-24 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player, marking his third win in this prestigious category.  Jokic, who previously clinched the honor in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, now joins an elite group of players as only the ninth in NBA history to achieve this feat. The Serbian sensation, with nine years in the NBA under his belt, joins the ranks of basketball legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Michael Jordan , Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James , Larry Bird, Magic Johnson , and Moses Malone, who have all secured three or more MVP titles throughout their careers. Photo: Instagram/Nikola Jokic In the recently concluded 2023-24 regular season, Jokic showcased his prowess by ranking 10th in points, fourth in rebounds, and third in assists per game.  Notably, he became only the second player in NBA history to tally over 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 700 assists in a single season
Read More