Scoreboard
Grizzlies 135, Magic 115
Heat 104, Hornets 86
Suns 95, Wizards 80
Lakers 122, Knicks 115
Bucks 137, Trail Blazers 108
Kings 113, Thunder 103
What went down
The King has returned.
After a five-game absence, LeBron James returned to the Los Angeles Lakers' lineup in style as he spearheaded a big rally against the New York Knicks to win in overtime, 122-115.
James, who missed time due to knee soreness, played 40 minutes and had a triple-double of 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. He was at his best during the overtime period, where the Lakers did not relinquish the lead.
The Knicks wasted a superb performance from third-year forward RJ Barrett. He scored a career-high 36 points and led the charge in the final two minutes that saw the Knicks come back from a nine-point deficit, 108-99.
New York only has itself to blame after a brilliant first-half showing. They scored 40 points all in the first quarter, led by as many as 21 points, and stayed ahead by 15 at the half. But inconsistent play and inability to get stops doomed them to another stinging loss, this time on the road.
The Lakers have had troubles as of late, going 1-4 in their last five outings. But it’s clear that the antidote to their struggles was simply the return of the King. Now it’s time to witness if they can sustain this positivity and put together a couple of wins before the All-Star Break.
Big-time baller
The Sacramento Kings are fighting tooth and nail to get back into the Play-In Tournament bracket. If they can squeak in, it’ll be because of brilliant performances like what Tyrese Haliburton displayed in the Kings’ 113-103 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Haliburton dished out a career-high 17 assists. He’s the first Kings player to have at least 17 assists in a game since Rajon Rondo in 2016.
What he said
Here’s what LeBron had to say on how the Lakers can turn their season around:
‘It’s all about taking accountability for your own actions every game. If you want to change, you have to look at yourself in the mirror and demand more out of yourself – and it’ll trickle down to the rest of the ball club.”
Did you see that?
Another look at the @memgrizz running the 3-on-1 fastbreak to perfection https://t.co/56Ao1eAmiE pic.twitter.com/A0KZChmwyX
— NBA (@NBA) February 6, 2022
Another day, another brilliant highlight from the young, brash, and high-flying Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant may not have been the finisher, but this display of unselfish basketball is definitely worth the price of admission.
