LOS ANGELES — — D’Angelo Russell scored 21 of his season-high 44 points in the fourth quarter and scored a go-ahead layup with 5.9 seconds left, and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence for injury to LeBron James for a score of 123-122 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks Friday night.
Spencer Dinwiddie blocked Damian Lillard’s step-back jumper just before the buzzer to preserve an emotional win for the Lakers while James sat to rest his sore left ankle, missing his ninth game of the season overall due to a persistent injury.
They were carried by Russell, who tied his career high with nine 3-pointers while dishing out nine assists in a spectacular performance. He scored eight points in the final 1:13 as the Lakers recovered from a late deficit.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had 34 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists. Lillard scored eight of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, but the Bucks couldn’t hang on in their second straight loss.
Milwaukee took its first lead since the start of the second quarter on Antetokounmpo’s jumper with 2:53 remaining. Lillard converted a four-point play two possessions later, but Russell cut the Bucks’ lead to one point on a three-point play with 39 seconds left.
Lillard missed a tough layup to give the Lakers a chance, and Russell hit a leaning 13-footer with 5.9 seconds left. Dinwiddie, making his first start for his hometown Lakers, then smothered Lillard’s final shot.
Antetokounmpo recorded his 43rd career triple-double, his eighth of the season and his first since January 24. Pat Connaughton scored a season-high 17 points and hit a key three-pointer down the stretch.
Anthony Davis had 22 points – just two in the fourth quarter and 13 rebounds for the Lakers, who won 11 of 15 as they fight to gain ground in the competitive Western Conference.
James limped off the court with four minutes left in the Lakers’ loss to Sacramento on Wednesday night due to the latest flare-up of an ankle injury that has bothered the leading scorer in NBA history all throughout its 21st season. Coach Darvin Ham said the Lakers did not view the injury as a threat to the season, even though James also missed two games during the All-Star break.
Russell increased his offensive power again when forced to play without James or Davis, shooting with confidence while distributing the ball effectively on offense. He made four 3-pointers while giving the Lakers a halftime lead, and they stayed in front throughout the second half until Antetokounmpo and Lillard took over.
Austin Reaves added 18 points for the Lakers.
Before the game, Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said Khris Middleton was “close” to returning from a sprained left ankle that has kept him sidelined for 13 games since Feb. 6 . Rivers didn’t rule out Middleton playing against the Clippers on Sunday.
“He could be,” Rivers said. “I don’t know. He’s going to go hard (in practice on Saturday). I (feel) he’ll be back sooner rather than later, whatever that means to you.
FOLLOWING
Bucks: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
Lakers: Host Minnesota on Sunday night.
——
APNBA:
