LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament, defeating the Indiana Pacers 123-109 in Las Vegas. Despite the game not counting in the standings, the Lakers won the first-ever NBA Cup trophy and a prize of half-a-million dollars per player. The Lakers, with a perfect 7-0 record in the tournament, showcased their dominance in the final.
Davis was the standout player, contributing 41 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks. Meanwhile, James was named the In-Season Tournament’s MVP. Despite foul trouble, James finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Austin Reaves also made a significant impact on the game, scoring a career-high 22 points despite battling flu-like symptoms.
The game was a clash between two undefeated teams, as both the Lakers and the Pacers entered the final with a perfect 6-0 record. The Lakers’ victory was made even more significant as they played without their head coach Frank Vogel, who had to miss the game due to health and safety protocols.
The tournament was a creation of commissioner Adam Silver with the aim of adding excitement to the traditionally slow months of November and December. The Lakers’ victory makes them the first in-season tournament champion in NBA history.
The Lakers’ next game will be against USC basketball, where LeBron is expected to watch his son Bronny’s collegiate debut. Overall, the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament was a resounding success and the Lakers head back to Los Angeles as the inaugural champions.
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Photo credit www.nbcnewyork.com
