December ’23 Lakers Log: Lakers win Inaugural In-Season Tournament

NBA In-Season Tournament Quarterfinals: PHX 103 – LAL 106, W 13–9, 12/5/23: The Lakers won a thriller over the Suns to advance to the Semifinals of the In-Season Tournament in Las Vegas. Both teams were going back and forth but the Lakers came out on top. Austin Reaves sealed the game with a clutch three to put the Lakers up 4 with under 10 seconds remaining. Reaves finished the night with 20 points off the bench. LeBron led the way with 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 11 assists. AD put up a double-double, scoring 27 and grabbing 15 boards. Rui also returned and scored 7 off the bench in 21 minutes. The Lakers will now face the Pelicans on Thursday in Vegas in the Semifinals.

NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals: NOP 89 – LAL 133, W 14-9, 12/7/23: LA destroyed the Pelicans, blowing out New Orleans by 44. LeBron led the way with 30 points,  5 rebounds, and 8 assists. It was the first time in LeBron’s career that he scored 30 while playing less than 25 minutes. AD put up another double-double, with 16 points and 15 boards. Reaves led the second unit with 17 off the bench. Prince scored 15, Hachimura scored 12, and D’lo had 14. In total, six Lakers scored in double figures. The Lakers have now advanced to the finals of the inaugural In-Season Tournament and will face the Indiana PacersNBA In Season Tournament Finals: IND 109 – LAL 123, W, 12/9/23: With a monster game from AD, the Lakers won the inaugural In-Season Tournament. This game had a playoff atmosphere to it. It sounded as if the Lakers were the home team, as most of the crowd were Lakers fans. The Lakers were ahead most of the game and took care of business in the finale. AD had 41 points and 20 rebounds, which is best performance of the season. LeBron had 24 points and 11 assists. Austin Reaves led the Lakers 2nd unit, scoring 28 off the bench. The Lakers received the first-ever NBA Cup and LeBron won the tournament MVP. The Lakers are the first team in NBA history to win the In-Season Tournament.

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