LeBron James caught fire in the fourth quarter on Saturday, scoring 16 of his game-high 32 points in a three-minute span to help the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131-127 win over the Sacramento Kings and a 3-0 start to the season.
James was responsible for 18 points during the Lakers’ 21-0 run to start the fourth, scoring 11 straight then assisting on a Jaxson Hayes dunk before scoring five more.
While it was a vintage performance for the 22-year veteran, James said that fourth-quarter burst isn’t something he feels will be necessary for entire games in order for L.A. to win this season.
“Listen, I could do that at 22, but at almost 40, I don’t need to be doing it for four quarters,” James said after adding 14 rebounds and 10 assists, accounting for the 113th triple-double of his career.
“I have the luxury of having a MVP-caliber player next to me [in Anthony Davis]. AR [Austin Reaves] can get it going in bunches. D-Lo [D’Angelo Russell] can catch fire. Rui [Hachimura] has been consistent, and he can get going and score in bunches, as well.
“So, this team is not built for me to have 16-point quarters through all four quarters. That’s not how it’s constructed and nor should it be. We’re a team, and we all play together.”
