After losing two games by large margins, the Los Angeles Lakers hoped to get back on track on Friday night when they finished their road trip against the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks entered the game on a five-game winning streak and managed to hold off the Lakers for a 134-132 overtime victory after Los Angeles let the game slip away in the final moments.
LeBron James, who was dealing with a foot issue, was listed as questionable for the game but played and made his first three-pointer while also assisting Rui Hachimura twice. The Lakers took an early lead after Dalton Knecht hit a corner three-pointer.
However, the Hawks had their own standout rookie. Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick, responded with five quick points after a timeout. Both teams played strong defense early on, but Anthony Davis ended the first quarter with a three-point play, giving the Lakers a 29-26 lead.
When Davis was on the bench to start the second quarter, the Lakers struggled offensively. Risacher scored two quick baskets, and Onyeka Okongwu added six straight points inside. Then, Bogdan Bogdanovic, known for his success against the Lakers, got hot from beyond the arc, although James answered with a three-pointer of his own.
Davis returned to the game and dominated inside, helping the Lakers finish the half strong. However, Atlanta hit a buzzer-beater to tie the game at 64 by halftime.
The Lakers came out strong in the third quarter with excellent ball movement, and James led a 13-0 run to give Los Angeles a double-digit lead, forcing Atlanta to call a timeout. Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter responded with back-to-back three-pointers, and the Lakers needed a timeout.
Afterward, Young and Bogdanovic stayed hot, and the Lakers’ lead quickly disappeared. D’Angelo Russell helped the Lakers regain the lead with two three-pointers, and they entered the fourth quarter up 97-94.
The Lakers’ defense struggled again when Davis was on the bench to start the fourth. Bogdanovic hit another three-pointer to give the Hawks the lead, but James quickly responded with a three-pointer of his own.
As in many parts of the game, the score stayed close in the final minutes. With the Lakers up by four, Dyson Daniels scored five straight points to give the Hawks the lead, but Davis finished an alley-oop from Gabe Vincent to tie the game.
However, the Lakers failed to get a defensive rebound, and Hunter made a three-pointer to give Atlanta the lead. James then tied it up at 119 with a layup with 12.9 seconds remaining. Young took a deep three-pointer at the buzzer, but it was blocked by Max Christie, sending the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Hawks quickly scored two easy baskets to take a four-point lead. Christie responded with a three-pointer to beat the shot clock but fouled out shortly after. With the game tied at 127, Vincent hit a deep three-pointer to put the Lakers back on top. Davis followed with a clutch midrange jumper.
However, the Hawks continued to stay close and had a chance to take the lead after a steal. James came through with a huge chasedown block to save the Lakers.
Instead of going to the free-throw line, Davis was tied up, and a jump ball was called. The Hawks got the ball back down by one with 19.6 seconds left. Young hit a three-pointer to give Atlanta the lead, and James missed at the buzzer, allowing the Hawks to win.
James and Davis both had incredible performances despite the loss. James posted a triple-double with 39 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and three blocks. Davis contributed 38 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and two blocks.
