LeBron James, Lakers outlast Steph Curry, Warriors in Rivals Week showdown

Anthony Valmoria
Jan 28 2024

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers survived Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors in double overtime, 145-144, on Saturday night in a frantic finish to the NBA's Rivals Week.

In what turned out to be an all-time classic game, James and Curry went head-to-head just like old times, pouring in clutch basket after clutch basket in the fourth quarter and both overtime periods. 

Curry hit a booming triple at the top of the key to give the Warriors the 144-143 lead with six seconds to play. James got fouled on a drive on the Lakers' possession and swished two clutch free throws to take back the lead, 145-144. Curry had one last shot to save the Warriors, but his 68-foot heave did not find the bottom of the net.

James had a monster game, finishing with a triple-double of 36 points, 20 rebounds and 12 assists. He becomes the oldest player to have a 30-point triple-double and the oldest player with a 30-20 game. Even at 39 years old, he continues to top himself, as his 20 rebounds were a career-best.

Curry, for his part, had 46 points, 7 assists and 3 rebounds in 43 minutes in the losing effort, as the Warriors suffered their second-straight heartbreaking loss (after losing to the Sacramento Kings by one point two nights ago).