Rui Hachimura buried a buzzer-beating three to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors, on a night when LeBron James’s long streak of double-digit scoring finally ended.
Austin Reaves carried the Lakers with 44 points and 10 assists, stepping up in the absence of Luka Doncic. James finished with eight points and 11 assists, including the kick-out pass that set up Hachimura’s first career game-winner.
James shot just 4 of 17, but said he simply made the right play on the decisive possession. Lakers coach JJ Redick echoed that sentiment, saying James stayed true to his instincts.
Scottie Barnes scored 23 for Toronto, who slipped to third in the East despite seven players reaching double figures. The Lakers now head to Boston for a clash with the Celtics.
Elsewhere, Derrick White’s 30-point display powered the Celtics to a 146-101 win over the Wizards, while in Philadelphia rookie VJ Edgecombe hit a late put-back to seal a 99-98 victory over the Warriors after Tyrese Maxey blocked the final shot.