Anthony Davis' big game leads Los Angeles Lakers past Indiana Pacers for in-season tournament title
Anthony Davis’ big game leads Los Angeles Lakers past Indiana Pacers for in-season tournament title
NEW DELHI: Anthony Davis delivered a stellar performance in the in-season tournament championship game of the NBA Cup, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Davis recorded an impressive stat line of 41 points, 20 rebounds, five assists, and four blocked shots, showcasing his dominance on both ends of the court.
Supporting Davis, Austin Reaves contributed significantly off the bench with 28 points, while LeBron James added 24 points and 11 rebounds. D’Angelo Russell chipped in with 13 points and seven assists for the Lakers, who demonstrated their prowess by outrebounding the Pacers 55-32.
For the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin each scored 20 points, while Aaron Nesmith added 15 points. However, the Pacers couldn’t match the Lakers’ intensity, particularly in rebounding, where they faced a significant deficit.
Despite the outstanding individual and team performances, it’s worth noting that the statistics from this contest do not count towards the regular-season standings. Nevertheless, Anthony Davis showcased his dominance, potentially earning what would have been his fifth career 40-point, 20-rebound effort.
The Lakers completed an undefeated run in the inaugural in-season tournament, finishing with a perfect 7-0 record. LeBron James was named the in-season tournament MVP for his contributions to the Lakers’ success.
Both teams performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament, with the Lakers earning $500,000 per player, and the players on the Pacers receiving $200,000 each. The victory capped off an impressive tournament run for the Lakers, solidifying their status as one of the top teams in the league.
(With Reuters inputs)
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