For the first time since the 1991-92 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have played three straight overtime games.
After trailing by as many as 20 points in the second quarter to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the current Lakers gutted through an unpleasant win against an inferior opponent. L.A. chipped away at the OKC lead, eventually toppling the upstart Thunder by one point on Wednesday night.
The victory moved L.A. to 20-6 on the season and extended their winning streak to six games, though nothing, recently, has come easy.
The Lakers needed two OTs to fend off the bottom-feeding Detroit Pistons — without Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose (now on the New York Knicks) — on Saturday, then were pushed to overtime by the Thunder on Monday.
The '91-'92 Lakers, in fact, began their regular season by playing sixteen quarters over three games. First: an opening-night double-overtime loss to the Houston Rockets, followed by a 114-113 win over the Dallas Mavericks, then a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Great Western Forum on Nov. 5. Two days later, Magic Johnson — who hadn't played that season fresh off leading L.A. to the '91 Finals — abruptly announced his retirement. (The '91-'92 LakeShow would finish 43-39 and fall to the eventual conference-champion Portland Trail Blazers in round one.)
Like that Mavs game — in which James Worthy dropped 30 points and journeyman guard Sedale Threatt exploded for 28 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists — the 2020-21 Lakers held on for a 114-113 win on Wednesday (this time at the Staples Center), against a scrappy and short-handed Thunder bunch.
For the second straight game, L.A. took the floor without Anthony Davis (Achilles tendinosis) and Alex Caruso (right-hand strain). OKC star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee sprain) was held out for precautionary measures, as well.
It's the dog days of the season, and the Lakers, without one of their stars, did just enough to win.
L.A., at long last, took their first lead of the ballgame with about five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but didn't pull away. As has been in the case in each of the three OT wins, the Lakers relied on a clutch triple from LeBron James — this time to send the game to extra-time. The Lakers outscored OKC, 9-8, in the extra period to escape with a W.
LeBron sends the Lakers to their THIRD STRAIGHT overtime game 😳 pic.twitter.com/dxVEy17jZ5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 11, 2021
Notably, James (whom many call the “Sedale Threatt of his Generation”) played at least 41 minutes for the third straight outing and led the Lakers with 25 points, seven assists, and six rebounds. Most importantly, he went full John Havlicek in the final moments, coming up with the game-stealing theft. (He was exempt from postgame media.)
LeBron said no way I’m going to Double OT again 😂 pic.twitter.com/RkVMQA0LNR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 11, 2021
Montrezl Harrell (20 points) provided an essential offensive spark off the bench, while Dennis Schröder (19 points, seven rebounds, five assists), Kyle Kuzma (15 points), and Marc Gasol (stellar D) contributed enough to help the Lakers squeeze out an unremarkable win against a rebuilding Thunder team that had just eight players available.
For OKC, Al Horford scored 25 points, Kenrich Williams added 24 on 11-of-14 shooting, while Hamidou Diallo recorded 15 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists. Both teams shot 47% from the field and were ice-cold from deep throughout the night.
Before the game, Lakers head coach Frank Vogel was asked about managing LeBron's minutes in their second consecutive showdown with Mark Daigneault's hard-nosed OKC group.
“We’re gonna be responsible and try to win the game,” Vogel told reporters.
To his credit, Vogel has been consistent with that message over this surprisingly stressful three-game home stretch. As long as the Lakers find themselves in nail-biting games, James, evidently, is going to work long hours. The 36-year old played 46 minutes against the Pistons on Saturday, 43 on Monday, and 41 on Wednesday.
LeBron may claim that he doesn’t get tired, but his actions during this unwelcome OT-streak would indicate otherwise. After the Detroit battle, James cracked that two overtimes wasn't good for his heart and that he was ready to home and have some wine.
LEBRON OH MY. pic.twitter.com/lorvTB7RIe
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 7, 2021
Then, on Monday, the defending champions were forced into OT once again. Late in the game, a fatigued King laid down on the scorer's table, and signed off his Zoom session (jokingly) yelling “I AM SLEEPY AS SHIT“.
Fortunately for the 2020-21 Lakers, they've won all three of their overtime games – unlike Vlade Divac, A.C. Green, and company three decades ago.
“There's always concern,” Vogel said about James's minute load after Wednesday's game. “But his body's been feeling good … These aren't the scripted plans — to go to into each game and get him up to 40 minutes. But he's gonna be in there in those situations.”
James may have daydreamed about partying on a boat in Florida with Tom Brady on Wednesday. Instead, he found himself pushing his body to the limit, once again, in front of an empty Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.
Hopefully, for his sake, the wine is hitting right now.
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