By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Los Angeles Lakers mishandled a 20-point advantage in the fourth quarter but recovered to beat the Phoenix Suns, 116-114, in Mortgage Matchup Center.
After previously missing two free throws, LeBron James connected two from the charity stripe, including the go-ahead point with 3.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, sending JJ Redick’s side to 18-7 in the 2025-26 NBA Regular Season.
“Guys were on the floor, and we kind of left. Luka and I talked. I thought Luka was gonna shoot it. I walked back. LeBron was at the free-throw line. He shot it. I don’t know what the dialogue on the court was,” the 41-year-old play-caller confessed in a postgame press conference about LeBron taking on a technical free throw instead of Luka Doncic with 12.9 seconds remaining.
“Nothing,” said 40-year-old James, replying to a question on his thinking process toward sinking the key free throws after mishandling his two previous attempts in crunch time. “I needed to make them because we were in a position to win the game.”
Meanwhile, the Slovenian superstar ended up packing a game-high 29 points on 7/25 from the field. Over 38:12, he added six assists, three rebounds, and one steal. Fellow European option, German Maxi Kleber, remained sidelined due to a lumbar muscle strain.
With Spanish head coach Jordi Fernandez sitting out due to an illness, the Brooklyn Nets matched a franchise record for the largest win margin with a 127-82 victory versus the Milwaukee Bucks in Barclays Center earlier Sunday.
Russian starter Egor Demin recorded a team-high 17 points, with Israeli Danny Wolf chipping in eight points. However, French Nolan Traore did not score, and Israeli Ben Saraf (illness) was sidelined.
On the wrong side, the Greek Antetokounmpo brothers went from Giannis (right calf strain) and Alex on the inactive list to Thanasis staying on the bench.