Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball as Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
SALT LAKE CITY — Anthony Davis had 33 points and 11 rebounds, LeBron James added 27 points and 14 assists and the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers beat the Utah Jazz 105-104 on Sunday night.
After James missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds – his 10th attempt of the night – Utah had a chance to win the game, but Collin Sexton fumbled the inbounds pass and couldn’t get a shot off before the buzzer.
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James made a running left-handed hook with 41.0 seconds left, but Walker Kessler made a putback at the other end to keep the Jazz within a basket.
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AD, LeBron and them @Lakers Do it in Utah ⭐️
Davis: 33 PTS, 11 REB, 2 STL
James: 27 PTS, 14 AST, 5 REB pic.twitter.com/ylBZTnQP0w– NBA (@NBA) December 2, 2024
Lauri Markkanen scored 22 points and John Collins 21 as the Jazz lost for the eighth time in nine games.
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Davis scored 16 points in the third quarter and James took over in the fourth when Davis rested. James made four straight throws, including a reverse layup and a dunk, that extended the Lakers’ lead to 101-92.
The Lakers were without Jaxson Hayes (sprained right ankle), Austin Reaves (bruised hip), D’Angelo Russell (illness) and Cam Reddish (illness). Hayes is expected to be out for two to three weeks.
Takeaways
Lakers: James took on the role of playmaker and Davis’ strong play gave Los Angeles a small cushion. Still, the tired Lakers had to stop the Jazz’s late run.
Jazz: Utah commits more turnovers than any other team in the league and it hurt them again as they ended up with two crucial losses. The Jazz had 15 turnovers, which led to 20 Lakers points.
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Key moment
Sexton made a layup in the final moments that appeared to give the Jazz a 106-105 lead, but it was erased when Utah coach Will Hardy called a timeout with 2.1 seconds left.
Key statistics
James surpassed 15,000 field goals made in the second quarter, becoming the second player in NBA history to reach that mark after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (15,837).
Next
Utah visits Oklahoma City on Tuesday to open a seven-game trip and the Lakers visit Minnesota on Monday.
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