All year the Lakers have been scratching and clawing for this moment. Several years of disappointment in the postseason has left a sour taste in the team’s mouth and this year has been anything but easy with nearly every team in the Western Conference battling to at least secure a spot in the play-in tournament. Thanks to the heroics of LeBron James on Tuesday night, Los Angeles is in complete control of their future.
The Lakers’ 135–133 overtime win over the Jazz clinched them a spot in the play-in tournament and it was in no small part thanks to James’s 37 points, six assists and five rebounds. The 38-year-old also got the game-winning layup with 27 seconds left in overtime.
LEBRON JAMES HITS A GAME WINNER IN OT VS UTAH🐐
— Lebron’s Burner (@legoatjames_6) April 5, 2023
HE ERUPTS IN THE CLUTCH AGAINST THE JAZZ IN A MASSIVE OVERTIME WIN🤯
THE LAKERS ARE ON FIRE WINNING 7 OF THEIR LAST 8🔥🔥🔥
KING JAMES TONIGHT👑
🐐37 PTS
🐐6 AST
🐐5 REB
WHOS STOPPING THESE LAKERS??#lakeshow #lakerswin pic.twitter.com/nTaphCIejd
After the game, James was serenaded with goat noises from his teammates in the locker room. Of course, this was in reference to his case as the GOAT.
LeBron James and his chorus of 🐐 🐐 🐐 pic.twitter.com/GrzyMC7lW2
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 5, 2023
The Lakers are now the No. 7 seed with a 41–38 record and their next opponent will be the No. 6 Clippers, who have the same record. The Warriors hold the No. 5 seed at 42–38 with just a few days left in the regular season. The top six seeds earn spots in the playoff field, while seeds No. 7 through 10 play for the final two spots.
The battle for Los Angeles and the No. 6 spot tips off at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday night on ESPN.
