The Lakers are on a tear, folks. With their ninth consecutive win, a nail-biting 105-104 victory over the Magic, they’re proving they can handle the heat when it matters most. This one came down to the wire, and the Lakers’ late-game prowess was on full display once again.
In the dying moments of the game, with just 2.6 seconds left on the clock, Marcus Smart delivered a perfect pass to a wide-open Luke Kennard on the wing. Kennard didn’t hesitate.
He let it fly from beyond the arc, and the ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded. Game over.
Kennard was as surprised as anyone. “I didn’t really know what was going on,” he admitted amidst the post-game chaos.
“I was just screaming. Somebody picked me up, I don’t even know who.”
His teammates were quick to celebrate, and for good reason. LeBron James, ever the seasoned veteran, had seen it all unfold.
“When I turned and saw who had the ball, I pretty much knew it was cash,” he said with a knowing smile. And why wouldn’t he?
Kennard is knocking down threes at an impressive 48.6 percent clip this season.
Luka Doncic was the standout performer, racking up 33 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals. Austin Reaves also made his presence felt with 26 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
But this victory was all about the clutch finish. The Lakers are thriving in these pressure-cooker moments, sitting comfortably at 46-25 and maintaining their strong position in the Western Conference, with a crucial tiebreaker over the Rockets.
This team’s late-game execution is becoming their calling card, and if they keep this up, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone come playoff time.