LeBron says enough. Stop. The Lakers phenom's season-high 40-point performance ended Los Angeles' losing streak at 4. It gives the Yellow Violin a good run at home for the Thunder. Even down 26 points, they fell to -8 at the end, but James, almost 39 years old, scored 11 points in the final 4:30 minutes and avoided trouble for the Californians. Knowing they can't make LeBron work overtime every night, they are trying to compensate by rotating the starting five: Hamm is promoting Vanderbilt among the starters and benching the disappointing Russell for defensive reasons, he says. The first is good, then we'll see. Meanwhile, the Lakers (16-14) risk losing Vincent, one of the hottest signings of the summer transfer market, for 6-8 weeks: surgery on his left knee is on hold. He didn't play in Oklahoma City (18-9), but the Thunder also had a glaring absence, that of the Jedi. Gilgeous-Alexander's 34 points aren't enough this time, as the Lakers finished with 37 assists. And this is the tenor with the number 23 that stands out in the chorus.
Oklahoma City: Gilgeous-Alexander 34 (11/16, 1/5, 9/10), Jal Williams 28, Holmgren 19. Rembalze: Holmgren 10. Assist: Gilgeous-Alexander 7.
Angels: James 40 (8/15, 5/5, 9/9), Davis 26, Hachimura 21. Rebounds: Davis 11. Assists: 9.
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