LOS ANGELES — LeBron James scored 19 of his 34 points during a brilliant fourth quarter, leading the Lakers back from a 21-point deficit for a dramatic 116-112 victory over the Clippers on Wednesday night.
Kawhi Leonard missed a 12-footer with five seconds to play, and James threw a long pass to Cam Reddish for a dunk that punctuated a stunning victory for the Lakers in the rivals’ final regular-season game as Crypto.com Arena co-tenants.
The 39-year-old James was the center of it all, hitting five of his season-high seven 3-pointers while outscoring the Clippers by himself in the fourth quarter (19-16). He either scored or assisted on 11 of the Lakers’ 13 baskets in the final period and finished 13 for 21 from the field (7 for 12 from behind the arc) with six rebounds and eight assists.
Leonard scored 26 points, seven rebounds and six assists and James Harden had 23 points and nine assists for the Clippers, who have lost back-to-back games for the first time since Dec. 23. The Clippers played without All-Star Paul George, who missed his second straight game with a sore left knee, and starting center Ivica Zubac, who was ill.
The Clippers led 98-77 in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, but James led a 29-8 run in just 7:34. Anthony Davis’ free throws tied it 106-106 with four minutes to play, and James found Rui Hachimura for a go-ahead 3-pointer moments later.
D’Angelo Russell’s 3-pointer put the Lakers up 114-108 with 1:12 to play, but Harden and Leonard scored on drives to the basket while James missed a pair of shots for the Lakers. But Leonard’s last shot was off target, and James found Reddish for the capper to the delight of the thousands of Lakers fans in attendance at a “road” game.
The Lakers (32-28) won three of four over the Clippers (37-20) this season, winning the season series for the first time since 2011-12.
Davis had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, while Russell had 18 and Hachimura added 17.
Terance…
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