LeBron James delivered a vintage performance with 42 points, 17 rebounds, and eight assists, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. James, who became the oldest player in NBA history to record 30 points and 15 rebounds in a game, broke his own record while showcasing his dominance in a thrilling duel against Stephen Curry.
The 40-year-old carried the Lakers during a pivotal second quarter, scoring 18 points, including three consecutive 3-pointers in just 38 seconds — the last of which came from the midcourt logo — to help Los Angeles build a 26-point lead.
Austin Reaves added 23 points, and Gabe Vincent knocked down five 3-pointers as the Lakers secured their fourth straight win and 10th in 12 games. Even with Luka Doncic watching from the bench, the Lakers continued their excellent stretch of play. Though they nearly squandered the big lead after a 32-12 Warriors rally before halftime, James steadied the team late, hitting his sixth 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining to seal the victory.
Curry led Golden State with 37 points, including six 3-pointers, but his efforts weren’t enough to overcome James and a balanced Lakers offense. The Warriors, still adjusting after acquiring Jimmy Butler in a trade earlier in the day, fell to 0-2 on their seven-game road trip.
Meanwhile, the Lakers stayed focused on their upward trajectory, proving that even shaky second halves can’t overshadow three weeks of exceptional play. Let’s grade each Lakers player for his performance on Thursday night.
LeBron James: A+
Stats: 42 PTS, 17 REB (1 OREB, 16 DREB), 8 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 1 PF, 14-25 FG, 6-9 3PT, 8-10 FT, +7, 38 MIN
LeBron James delivered a masterclass performance, dropping 42 points while grabbing 17 rebounds and dishing out eight assists. At 40 years old, he continues to defy Father Time, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record a 30-point, 15-rebound game. His dominance was especially evident during the second quarter when he scored 18 points, including three consecutive 3-pointers, one from midcourt, to extend the Lakers’ lead. Despite the Warriors’ late surge, LeBron remained calm under pressure, hitting crucial buckets to seal the victory. A true vintage performance from the King.
Austin Reaves: B+
Stats: 23 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 4 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 4 TO, 3 PF, 4-17 FG, 0-9 3PT, 15-16 FT, +2, 36 MIN
Reaves contributed 23 points, showcasing his ability to draw fouls and convert at the line with a stellar 15-for-16 free-throw performance. Though he struggled with his shooting overall (4-for-17 from the field and 0-for-9 from deep), his relentless energy on both ends of the floor stood out. Reaves also added four assists, three steals, and a block, showing his value as a two-way player despite the poor shooting night.
Jarred Vanderbilt: B
Stats: 5 PTS, 14 REB (4 OREB, 10 DREB), 3 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 4 PF, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT, -2, 21 MIN
Vanderbilt was a force on the glass, hauling in 14 rebounds, including four offensive boards, in just 21 minutes. His hustle and physicality on defense played a critical role in keeping the Warriors’ bigs in check. While his scoring was minimal with just five points, Vanderbilt’s ability to impact the game without needing the ball made him a key contributor in the win.
Gabe Vincent: B
Stats: 15 PTS, 0 REB (0 OREB, 0 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 5-8 FG, 5-8 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 30 MIN
Vincent provided a much-needed spark from beyond the arc, knocking down five 3-pointers en route to a 15-point performance. Though he didn’t contribute much outside of scoring, his efficiency (5-for-8 shooting) and timely shots kept the Warriors at bay during critical stretches. Despite a negative plus/minus, Vincent’s shooting played a vital role in spreading the floor for the Lakers’ offense.
Rui Hachimura: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 4-9 FG, 1-5 3PT, 2-4 FT, +12, 39 MIN
Hachimura chipped in 11 points and four rebounds, showing flashes of his scoring ability but struggling with consistency. He shot 4-for-9 from the field and just 1-for-5 from deep, which hurt the Lakers’ offensive flow at times. However, his +12 plus/minus reflected his defensive presence and ability to make an impact without dominating the ball.
Jaxson Hayes: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 4-6 FG, 0-0 3PT, 3-4 FT, +7, 25 MIN
Hayes provided solid minutes off the bench, scoring 11 points on efficient 4-for-6 shooting and adding three rebounds. His activity on both ends, including a steal and a block, gave the Lakers a defensive boost during his time on the floor. While his contributions weren’t flashy, Hayes’ energy and effort added value to the second unit.
Dorian Finney-Smith: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 3-6 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +8, 33 MIN
Finney-Smith had a quiet game offensively, scoring seven points on 3-for-6 shooting, but his defensive contributions were crucial. He added three assists and two steals while maintaining a strong presence on the perimeter against Golden State’s shooters. Though his scoring was limited, his ability to do the little things helped the Lakers maintain their lead.
Shake Milton: C
Stats: 2 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +8, 15 MIN
Milton had a minimal offensive impact, scoring just two points on 1-for-3 shooting in 15 minutes. He added three rebounds, two assists, and a steal, but his contributions were mostly unremarkable. While his +8 plus/minus indicates he wasn’t a liability, Milton didn’t stand out in a game where others stepped up.
Christian Koloko: N/A
Stats: 4 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +1, 4 MIN
Koloko saw only four minutes of action but made the most of his limited time, scoring four points on 2-for-2 shooting and grabbing two rebounds. While his small sample size doesn’t warrant a full evaluation, he showed energy and efficiency in his brief stint on the court.
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