LeBron James, the 38- year-old star of the Los Angeles Lakers, delivered a historic performance in Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night. With less than 30 seconds left in overtime, James made a layup while being fouled by Dillon Brooks, sealing the victory for the Lakers with a 117- 111 score and taking a 3- 1 series lead. His remarkable stat line of 22 points, 20 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and just one turnover made him the oldest player to achieve a 20- 20 performance since Wilt Chamberlain in 1973, through 1,693 regular- season, play- in, and postseason games.
James’ each- around effort instanced the Lakers’ team game, with contributions from Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, Jarred Vanderbilt, andD’Angelo Russell. Davis battled through a sore right hip to finish with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks, while Reaves led the team in scoring with 23 points. Vanderbilt, who had only 12 points in the first three games combined, scored 15 in Game 4. Russell also played a pivotal part, scoring 17 points, including nine straight on three three- pointers in the fourth quarter that helped the Lakers overcome a seven- point deficit and regain the lead.
James’ leadership and performance have been instrumental in the Lakers’ playoff run, especially after their early exit in the 2021 postseason and failure to qualify last year. He expressed his love for the postseason and his desire to make plays and create experiences for his teammates.” These are the moments that I love,” James said.” I have been a part of a lot of games, and I just love being able to make plays and be out there with my teammates to give them experiences that they maybe never had before.”
Looking ahead to Game 5 on Wednesday, James acknowledged the challenge of the closeout game, describing it as the hardest and most tiring one in the series. However, he expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the task at hand.” We better be ready for it,” James said.” And I think we’ll be ready for it.”
In conclusion, LeBron James’ historic performance in Game 4 against the Memphis Grizzlies has put the Los Angeles Lakers on the brink of a series victory. His leadership, skills, and determination have been crucial to the team’s success, making headlines in the world of basketball.
