LeBron and Curry add to classic rivalry in double overtime showdown

San Francisco – a statistical achievement LeBron James Never achieved that in 1,463 career regular-season games, 10 extra minutes of game time and two free throws with 1.2 seconds left Los Angeles Lakers A star can claim victory over his nemesis, Stephen Curry and golden state warriors.

lakers 145-144 win In Saturday’s double overtime game, James scored 36 points, a career-high 20 rebounds and 12 assists, beating Curry’s game-high 46 points (including 15 points during overtime). A classic matchup between two must-win Hall of Famers.

“It’s something I can talk to my grandkids about,” James said of his game with Curry. “When you talk about me being able to compete against one of the greatest players of all time.”

The game was scheduled as part of NBA Rivals Week, and it didn’t disappoint, with James, 39, and Curry, 35, looking just as good as when their teams met in the NBA Finals four straight times. Second-rate.

“It’s such a joy to go against one of the greatest players of all time,” James said. “For us to continue to push each other in our careers, you don’t take it for granted because you don’t know what you actually do. How many times will I be able to share the same floor with other people. Such a talented person.”

While James’ Lakers won his fourth ring in 2020 and Curry’s Warriors won his fourth two years later, both players’ teams were mired in Challenging times.

The Lakers finished ninth in the Western Conference with 24 wins and 23 losses. The loss dropped the Warriors to 19-24, ranking 12th in the Western Conference.

There was one night, however, where the record didn’t reflect the action on the field.

Every year we do this, the back and forth, the battles – the Finals, last year’s playoffs – there are some laughs tonight after the horn blows, and I can’t imagine a scene like this: a game like tonight happened, [with] He’s in his 21st season and I’m in my 15th,” Curry said. “You look forward to fighting, but you also appreciate the mutual respect to keep doing what you’re doing at this level. Only a few people know how hard it is. I’m excited to join this group. ”

James’ key free throw was necessary due to Curry’s outstanding performance in the final moments of the game.He scored more than Anthony Davis The game entered overtime with 5.9 seconds left in regulation, and with 53.4 seconds left in overtime, he hit a three-pointer to cut Los Angeles‘ lead from 4-1 and set the stage for Los Angeles. Klay Thompson The score was tied a few possessions later to extend the game. In the second overtime, Curry hit his ninth 3-pointer of the night from the top of the key to give the Warriors a one-point lead with 5.9 seconds left.

That’s when James missed a potential game-winning mid-range fadeaway shot at the end of the first overtime, but kept going Draymond Green and was fouled to set up the final free throw.

“In the second overtime, I was able to get a little angle, I was able to drive, Euro-step back to my right hand, I was able to foul Draymond and get up and make the free throw,” James said.

The win sets up a crucial six-game road trip for Los Angeles, which is trying to make up for a month-long loss since winning the in-season tournament title in Las Vegas.

The Lakers will visit houston rockets On Monday, it was hoped that Davis, who had to leave the game with hip spasms, would be able to play.

But the night offered an opportunity to look back rather than forward, as James and Curry added new chapters to their intertwined stories.

“It’s a credit to everything LeBron has done at his age. I mean, the guy is a freak of nature in terms of his ability to be able to maintain this level for a long time. The same goes for Steph,” Thompson said. “When you’re young, you don’t really think basketball is going to stop because it’s what you love. It’s all you do. But when you get to your 30s, you realize that being an athlete has An end point. Knowing that, I’m just so grateful to be able to step on the court with those guys and play against LeBron.”