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[Saba Sports News] Austin Reaves delivered a clutch game-winning layup with just one second left, lifting the Los Angeles Lakers to a dramatic 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
The decisive play came after Stephen Curry drilled a deep 31-foot 3-pointer to tie the game with seven seconds remaining.
LeBron James led the Lakers with a stellar performance, scoring 31 points and dishing out 10 assists in his NBA-record 19th Christmas Day game.
Meanwhile, Reaves notched an impressive triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, stepping up in the absence of Anthony Davis, who exited early due to a sprained ankle.
Despite Curry’s brilliance—scoring 38 points and hitting eight 3-pointers—the Warriors couldn’t overcome the Lakers’ resilience. Curry showcased his usual late-game heroics, including a pressure-packed baseline 3-pointer with 12 seconds left, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
LeBron’s poise shone throughout the game, highlighted by a pivotal 3-pointer in the clutch. The Lakers leaned heavily on their star duo after losing Davis and missing D’Angelo Russell due to injury.
They also received critical contributions from Rui Hachimura (18 points, 5-7 from deep) and Max Christie (16 points).
The victory marked another milestone for James, who set the record for the most career Christmas Day wins (11) while continuing his holiday rivalry with Curry. For Curry, the game was his 11th Christmas Day start, making him just the seventh player in NBA history to reach that mark.
Ultimately, the Lakers’ grit and execution, led by Reaves’ and James’ heroics, secured a memorable Christmas Day victory in San Francisco. Below are the player grades for the Lakers’ standout performers:
Player Grades
LeBron James: A+
Stats: 31 PTS, 10 AST, 4 REB, 2 STL, 12-22 FG, 2-4 3PT
LeBron’s leadership and clutch shooting were instrumental in the victory. His ability to control the game and deliver in critical moments underscored his legendary status.
Austin Reaves: A+
Stats: 26 PTS, 10 REB, 10 AST, 4-10 3PT, 6-6 FT
Reaves shined with a triple-double and a game-winning layup, proving invaluable in Davis’ absence and showing his growing confidence in high-pressure situations.
Rui Hachimura: B+
Stats: 18 PTS, 4 REB, 5-7 3PT
Hachimura’s sharpshooting provided much-needed spacing, though foul trouble slightly dampened his impact.
Max Christie: B+
Stats: 16 PTS, 4 REB, 2-8 3PT
Christie showed promise, making critical free throws and hustling on both ends despite struggling from beyond the arc.
Dalton Knecht: B
Stats: 13 PTS, 7 REB, 1-5 3PT
Knecht’s solid performance included strong rebounding and a positive impact off the bench.
Gabe Vincent: C
Stats: 5 PTS, 3 REB, 1-6 3PT
Vincent struggled offensively, but his defensive energy helped limit Warriors’ secondary scorers.
Cam Reddish: C
Stats: 4 PTS, 2 STL
Reddish contributed defensively but had minimal offensive involvement.
Anthony Davis: N/A
Exited early due to injury, leaving the Lakers shorthanded in the frontcourt.
The Lakers’ ability to weather adversity and rise to the occasion speaks to their growing chemistry and resilience, making this Christmas Day classic one to remember