LeBron James is brimming with excitement at the thought of guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the inaugural NBA Cup.
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LeBron James is brimming with excitement at the thought of guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the inaugural NBA Cup. As the number one seed, the Lakers are just one win away from securing a spot in the final. They’re currently in a fierce battle against the third-seeded New Orleans Pelicans in the Western Semifinal of the NBA in-season tournament on Thursday night in Las Vegas.
The triumphant team will go head-to-head with the winner of the East semifinal, which is a showdown between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Indiana Pacers, in the championship game slated for Saturday.
For a 19-time All-Star with four regular-season MVPs, four championship rings, and the distinction of being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a first-time event like the NBA Cup might not seem like a major milestone for someone of LeBron James’s caliber.
For the Lakers, Vincent will not be playing the game due to a knee injury. On the other hand, Nance and Ryan will be sitting this one out for the Pelicans due to illness and an elbow injury, respectively.
In addition to the glory, every player on the ultimate winning team also gets to pocket a cool $500,000. Nevertheless, driven by strong determination, James delivered an outstanding performance against the Suns, racking up 31 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and five steals.
However, the pivotal shot for the Lakers didn’t come from James. Austin Reaves stepped up and nailed a 3-pointer, extending the Los Angeles lead to four with just 15.3 seconds remaining, transforming it into a two-possession game.
The trade that took place after the 2018-19 season has proven to be a win-win for both teams. James now has the coveted sidekick in Davis, while Brandon Ingram, the former No. 2 overall pick, has blossomed into a star player for New Orleans.
The Pelicans boast forward Zion Williamson, who is currently in good health and has participated in 18 games this season, a notable improvement considering he played in just 29 games over the previous two seasons. Williamson is making his presence felt with averages of 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists.
New Orleans boasts a robust lineup, with bench contributors Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado recently making a comeback from injuries. When it comes to energy, there are few players who can rival what Alvarado brings to the court, a feat that even a legendary player like James may find challenging to match.
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