Trae Young nailed a 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds left in overtime, lifting the Atlanta Hawks to a thrilling 134-132 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night for their sixth consecutive win. Young, who finished with 31 points, outdueled a dynamic performance from LeBron James and Anthony Davis, who combined for 77 points—39 from James and 38 from Davis. Despite their efforts, the Lakers dropped their third straight game and seventh in their last nine, continuing their recent slump.
The Lakers had a chance to win it in the final seconds of overtime, but James’ deep 3-pointer missed the mark. Regulation ended in chaos with the score tied at 119 when Young’s potential game-winner was blocked by Max Christie, and a collision between James and Davis left James momentarily hobbled before he returned for the extra period.
The Hawks’ bench was pivotal, outscoring the Lakers’ reserves 65-17, led by De’Andre Hunter’s 26 points and Bogdan Bogdanovic’s 20. In overtime, Dyson Daniels came up clutch defensively for Atlanta with a key steal and a jump ball tie-up against Davis, ultimately leading to Young’s dagger 3-pointer.
Despite the loss, the Lakers showed fight after consecutive blowouts, but the Hawks, riding their longest win streak since January 2022, proved too resilient in a dramatic finish and we grade the Lakers players for their performance tonight. The next game for the Lakers is on Sunday, December 8th, against the Trail Blazers at 9:30 PM EST at Crypto.com arena with a strong chance to break their losing streak.Â
LeBron James: A+
Stats: 39 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, 14-25 FG, 6-11 3PT FG, 5-6 FT, 43 mins
LeBron James delivered an exceptional performance with a 39-point triple-double, adding 10 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and three blocks. He shot efficiently at 14-25 from the field and 6-11 from deep, keeping the Lakers competitive throughout. Despite missing a deep 3-pointer in the closing seconds of overtime, his dominance on both ends was undeniable, showcasing his leadership and resilience.
Anthony Davis: A
Stats: 38 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 6 turnovers, 3 fouls, 15-27 FG, 0-3 3PT FG, 8-8 FT, 42 mins
Anthony Davis nearly matched LeBron’s brilliance, posting 38 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 15-27 from the field and a perfect 8-8 from the line. He also contributed defensively with a steal and two blocks but committed six turnovers. His interior scoring and presence in the paint were key, though his overtime struggles, including a pivotal tie-up, slightly dampened an otherwise stellar night.
Dalton Knecht: B-
Stats: 14 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 3 fouls, 6-11 FG, 2-6 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 28 mins
Dalton Knecht contributed 14 points on 6-11 shooting and added three rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes. While he provided timely scoring, especially from mid-range, his impact waned as the game progressed. Knecht’s effort was solid but not transformative in a game where star power was needed late.
Rui Hachimura: B-
Stats:Â 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers, 2 fouls, 5-6 FG, 2-2 3PT FG, 0-0 FT
Rui Hachimura had an efficient outing with 12 points on 5-6 shooting, including two made threes, and grabbed nine rebounds, two of them offensive. His two steals and two blocks underscored his defensive contributions, but he didn’t assert himself offensively down the stretch, leaving room for improvement in clutch moments.
Gabe Vincent: B-
Stats:Â 12 points, 1 rebound, 5 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 5 fouls, 5-11 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 34 mins
Gabe Vincent added 12 points, five assists, and two steals, providing much-needed secondary playmaking. He shot 5-11 from the field, including two threes, but was hindered by foul trouble, picking up five fouls in 34 minutes. Vincent’s energy and ball movement were valuable but inconsistent during key stretches.
Max Christie: C
Stats: 9 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 turnover, 6 fouls, 3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT FG, 1-2 FT, 31 mins
Christie contributed nine points and made his presence felt defensively with three steals and a block. However, he struggled with foul trouble, picking up six fouls, which limited his ability to stay on the floor. While his block on Young at the end of regulation was a highlight, his overall impact was tempered by his inexperience in critical moments.
D’Angelo Russell: C
Stats: 8 points, 3 rebounds (1 offensive), 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 3-9 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 21 mins
D’Angelo Russell had a quiet game with just eight points on 3-9 shooting and added three rebounds and three assists. His lack of aggression offensively and inability to create scoring opportunities for himself or others was noticeable, especially in a game where the Lakers needed more production from their guards.
Cam Reddish: C
Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 1 foul, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 21 mins
Cam Reddish failed to score in 21 minutes, going 0-1 from the field. He contributed one steal and one block defensively but was largely invisible on offense. His inability to impact the game left the Lakers effectively playing four-on-five during his time on the floor.
Armel Traore: N/A
Stats:Â 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 0 fouls, 0-3 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 4 mins
Traore played just four minutes, missing all three of his shot attempts and grabbing two rebounds. His limited playing time and lack of offensive contribution made it difficult for him to leave any lasting impression.
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