LeBron James scored 31 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Phoenix Suns 106-103 to advance to the semifinals of the NBA’s first offseason tournament.
James, 38, dropped 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Lakers held off Kevin Durant’s second-half comeback.
The Palm sets up a showdown with the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.
I’ve been there a lot in my career, and I understand the challenge,” James said.
” I was happy to be suitable to produce some plays.”
The Lakers dominated the first half, leading 59-47 at halftime, but Durant’s 31 points brought the Suns back into contention before James’ heroics in the final quarter.
In Tuesday’s different quarterfinal, Giannis Antetokounmpo starred as the Milwaukee Bucks defeated the New York Knicks 146- 122.
Antetokounmpo, 29, led the way with 35 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds as the Bucks won and set up a showdown with the Indiana Pacers in Thursday’s other semifinal.
Antetokounmpo praised his partnership with teammate Damian Lillard, who scored 28 points in the win.
“We’re getting more comfortable game by game,” Antetokounmpo said.
“If we play more minutes, we will be more comfortable together. At the end of the day, I think he and I set the tone for the whole team.”
