PHILADELPHIA, PA — LeBron James delivered late-game heroics and Luka Doncic put up a triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers edged the Philadelphia 76ers, 112–108, on Sunday night.
James knocked down a deep 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining, breaking a 105–105 tie after Joel Embiid briefly pulled Philadelphia even with an 18-footer. On the next possession, James buried a pull-up jumper to stretch the lead to five and seal the outcome.
James finished with 29 points in his return to the lineup after sitting out Friday, and Doncic added a dominant all-around effort: 31 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists.
Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 28 points. Embiid, meanwhile, endured one of his toughest shooting nights of the season, going 4 for 21 from the field but still finishing with 16 points thanks to a perfect 6-for-6 at the line.
Both superstars were back after brief absences. Doncic, the league’s scoring leader, missed two games to travel to Slovenia for the birth of his daughter. James, who battled sciatica to start the season and has dealt with arthritis in his left foot, had sat out the previous game against Boston.
The 39-year-old forward still supplied vintage highlights. James soared for a first-half dunk that ignited the crowd, and later met Embiid at the rim on a drive, though the Sixers center rejected the attempt. The matchup had added intrigue after James and Embiid teamed up on Team USA’s gold-medal run at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Embiid struggled early, missing 10 of his first 11 shots, but his presence helped keep the Sixers within reach throughout.
Up Next:
Lakers: Host San Antonio on Wednesday in the NBA Cup quarterfinals.
76ers: Stay home to face Indiana on Friday.
