BASKETTBALL

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LeBron James and Luka Doncic combined for 60 points as the Los Angeles Lakers went on a late scoring spree to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-103 on Tuesday.

The Lakers extended their winning streak to three games after James and Doncic both scored 30 points apiece in the Big Easy to keep up the pressure on Western Conference leaders Oklahoma City and San Antonio.

James, 41, finished with 30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and a block in a commanding all-around display. Doncic had 10 assists and two rebounds in his 30-point haul. The Pelicans, who are bottom of the West with an 8-30 record, had threatened to spring an upset after opening up an 86-79 lead at the end of the third quarter.

But James nailed a pair of three-pointers in a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter before Doncic added eight more points to see the Lakers home safely.

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Cade Cunningham scored 27 points as the Detroit Pistons spoiled LeBron James’ 41st birthday with a 128-106 drubbing of the depleted Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.

The Lakers’ final home game of the year got underway in a festive atmosphere, with the Crypto.com Arena hoping to salute James as he celebrated his birthday. But the Lakers, missing the injured Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent, were always chasing the game against a Pistons lineup who led for most of the contest.

The home side threatened to haul themselves back into contention after tying the game at 79-79 midway through the third quarter.

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The Charlotte Hornets thrashed the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder 124-97 on Monday, as Eastern Conference leaders Detroit delivered a statement win over the New York Knicks.

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The Atlanta Hawks’ season started well but has taken a turn for the worse. Now, the Georgia-based franchise is considering parting ways with Trae Young and/or Zaccharie Risacher, as results have been lacking for several years.

The current era of the Atlanta Hawks began in 2018, with the draft of Trae Young, who was traded by the Mavericks for Luka Doncic (but that’s another story). The point guard quickly established himself as one of the most talented players of his generation and was expected to turn his team into a contender.

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Norman Powell scored a game-high 36 points to help extend the Miami Heat’s winning streak to four games after a 118-112 triumph over the Eastern Conference leader Detroit Pistons on Thursday.

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Boomers superstar Josh Giddey exited the Chicago Bulls’ 35-point loss to Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter, just six weeks out from the NBA All-Star weekend in Los Angeles.

Giddey had laid off a pass unchallenged before clutching at his left hamstring and then limping off the court into the locker rooms for further assessment. The state of his condition was not immediately known to the public, but if the 23-year-old has suffered a Grade 2 (partial tear) injury, his maiden All-Star selection could be in jeopardy with the recovery time for such injuries usually ranging between four and eight weeks.

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Victor Wembanyama will miss San Antonio’s NBA game on Friday at Indiana after suffering a hyperextended left knee in a Spurs victory over New York, according to multiple reports on Thursday.

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After leaving Monday’s game with an injury, Nikola Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of his left knee and will be sidelined for about four weeks.

On Monday, during the game between the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat, Nikola Jokic injured his knee after colliding with a teammate. The three-time MVP immediately grimaced in pain on the floor, raising fears of a serious injury.