LOS ANGELES — With less than 30 seconds to go in overtime in Monday’s Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 38-year-old star LeBron James — playing in his 45th minute — scored a layup while being fouled by his first-round foil, Dillon Brooks.
James flexed both biceps. He roared with his mouth agape. L.A. went up by five and went on to win, 117-111, to take a 3-1 series lead — one victory away from becoming the first No. 7 seed to beat a No. 2 seed since San Antonio in 2010.
“I felt like that play right there,” James said after finishing with 22 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and just one turnover, “I wouldn’t say, ‘closed the door,’ but it sealed it. There wasn’t much light at the end for the rest of the game. I was just letting the emotion come out.”
It was the image that will be seared into fans’ minds from an instant classic performance by the 20-year veteran.
His 20-20 line — the first in his entire career through 1,693 regular-season, play-in and postseason games — made him the oldest player to achieve the statistical mark since Wilt Chamberlain did it at the age of 36 in 1973.
“I’ve done some pretty cool things in my career,” James said. “I’ve never had 20 and 20 before. So, that’s pretty cool, I guess.”
After the Lakers flamed out in their repeat title bid with a first-round loss in 2021 and didn’t even qualify for the postseason last year, James has his team looking like a group primed to make a run when it matters once again.
James’ all-around effort exemplified the Lakers’ team game. Davis finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. Austin Reaves led them in scoring with 23 points. Jarred Vanderbilt scored 15 after only having 12 in the first three games combined.
D’Angelo Russell scored 17 points before fouling out, including nine straight on three 3s in the fourth quarter that dug L.A. out of a seven-point deficit and gave the Lakers back the lead.