LeBron James delivered 38 points, including a season-high seven 3-pointers, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 114-106 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. Max Christie added a career-high 28 points, hitting five 3-pointers, as the Lakers secured their sixth win in eight games.
Playing without Anthony Davis, who rested a sprained left ankle, and point guard Gabe Vincent due to a hip injury, the Lakers relied on balanced contributions. Austin Reaves nearly notched a triple-double with 15 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds, helping Los Angeles extend its winning streak against Portland to five games.
LeBron James in the @Lakers W:
👑 38 PTS (15/25 FGM)
👑 8 AST
👑 7 3PMLeBron ties Michael Jordan (562) for the most 30+ point games in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/G4SS3i1o2c
— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2025
For the Blazers, Anfernee Simons led the charge with 23 points, scoring 11 in the fourth quarter. Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija added 19 points each, but their efforts couldn’t prevent Portland from losing for the fourth time in six games.
In his return from a 15-game injury absence, Jaxson Hayes started in Davis’ place and contributed four points. New additions Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, acquired in a trade with Brooklyn, chipped in three and four points, respectively, in their second game with the Lakers.