NBA 2020: LeBron James comes up clutch as Lakers beat Clippers

As he usually does, LeBron James came up clutch with a game-winning play in the dying seconds to help the Lakers beat the Clippers.

LeBron James came to the Lakers’ rescue.

Even in 2020 some things never change.

LeBron James dropped the game-winning basket as the LA Lakers beat their local rivals the LA Clippers 103-101 on the day the NBA resumed from a four-month break caused by coronavirus.

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James’ jumper with 12 seconds to go hit the rim but he followed up with the rebound to add the last two points of the game.

The Lakers’ narrow win came after two late Rudy Robert free throws gave Utah Jazz a 106-104 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, a match which was dominated by questions about why the Pelicans’ best player Zion Williamson was left on the bench as the clock wound down to zero.

James would never find himself in that position and was on the floor to make the big play when it mattered, shortly after Clippers star Paul George drained a three-pointer to level the scores.

James also hustled on defence on the Clippers’ last possession. He hounded George and Kawhi Leonard as they tried to get a shot away and Leonard’s under-pressure Hail Mary three-point attempt bounced off the backboard.

Worth noting: The Pelicans wouldnt let 20-year-old Zion Williamson play in crunch time of a crucial game for their playoff hopes, because of a minutes restriction. Yet LeBron, who is nearly 36-years-old played 34 minutes with the No. 1 seed essentially wrapped up 🤔🤔

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) July 31, 2020

The King finished with 16 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists while partner in crime Anthony Davis returned with a bang, pouring in 34 points.

George (30 points) and Leonard (28 points) did the damage on the scoreboard for the Clippers but they couldn’t prevent another clutch LeBron showing.

Wearing Black Lives Matter T-shirts, players took a knee before the game and afterwards, James spoke about the need to keep fighting against racial injustice.

“There’s been progress but in the past when we’ve made progress we’ve let our foot off the gas a little bit,” James said.

“We can’t do that. We want to continue to keep our foot on the gas, continue to push forward, continue to spread love throughout America.

“We’re dealing with a lot of racism, a lot of social injustice, a lot of police brutality. Not only in my neighbourhoods and not only with black people, but with people of colour and it’s something we want to continue to have people’s ears open too.

“We have ears now but we cannot stop.”