NBA news: LeBron James' buzzer-beater lifts LA Lakers over Indiana Pacers
LeBron James continues to make waves in the basketball world, with his latest triumph coming against the Indiana Pacers.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo breaks down the action after James delivered an iconic moment on Wednesday, March 27.
A dramatic finish in Indianapolis
James delivered yet another historic moment as he tipped in the game-winning shot at the buzzer, securing a thrilling 120-119 victory for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
The victory snapped the Lakers’ three-game losing streak while ending Indiana’s five-game winning run.
The Lakers appeared to be on the verge of another defeat when they trailed the Pacers 119-118 in the final seconds.
Luka Doncic attempted a floater that bounced off the rim, and James, positioning himself perfectly under the hoop, tipped the ball in just as the final buzzer sounded.
An official review confirmed that James’ hand made contact with the ball with only 0.2 seconds left on the clock, sealing the win.
A historic moment for LeBron
With this buzzer-beater, James etched his name deeper into NBA history.
He is now tied with Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson for the second-most game-winning buzzer-beaters in league history with eight, trailing only Michael Jordan, who holds the record with nine.
The shot also made James the oldest player in NBA history to hit a game-winning buzzer-beater.
Having accomplished this feat in his 20s, 30s, and now 40s, James continues to defy age and expectations.
James’ resilience despite a slow start
Although James finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, his night was far from smooth.
Entering the fourth quarter, he had just three points on 0-for-6 shooting, marking the first time in his 1,553 regular-season games that he failed to make a field goal through the first three quarters.
However, he quickly turned things around, scoring eight of the Lakers’ first 10 points in the final period.
Reflecting on his performance, the basketball veteran admitted he was still working his way back into rhythm after a groin strain sidelined him for two weeks.
“It’s going to take a little bit to get my rhythm back offensively, get my wind back, get my cardio back,” James told ESPN.
“But one thing about my game, I can always do other things on the floor to help our team win even when I’m not shooting the ball.”
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Contributions from the Lakers’ supporting cast
While James provided the late-game heroics, the Lakers' supporting cast played a crucial role.
Doncic led the team with 34 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists, while Austin Reaves contributed 24 points.
Rui Hachimura added 14 points, including back-to-back three-pointers in the fourth quarter that gave L.A. a crucial six-point cushion.
Pacers star Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 23 points off the bench, while Tyrese Haliburton recorded a double-double with 16 points and 18 assists.
Myles Turner added 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Pacers.
The road ahead for the Lakers
The win improved the Lakers’ record to 44-28, positioning them fourth in the Western Conference, just behind the defending champion Denver Nuggets.
With 10 games remaining in the regular season, L.A. is focused on regaining its rhythm before the playoffs.
As the Lakers continue their four-game road trip, they face the Chicago Bulls next before heading to Memphis.
If James’ game-winning play against Indiana proved anything, it’s that every second matters in the tight Western Conference race.
“The game is never over until it says zeroes on the clock,” the 40-year-old said. “And just keeping our composure throughout it all.”
