The Los Angeles Lakers' winning streak seemed destined to end, but Luke Kennard had other plans. With just 0.6 seconds left on the clock, Kennard nailed a clutch 3-pointer to lift the Lakers over the Orlando Magic, securing a thrilling road victory.
Since his arrival from the Atlanta Hawks at the trade deadline, Kennard has seamlessly integrated into the Lakers' lineup. He acknowledged the pressure and excitement of moments like these, stating, "It feels good.
Just being part of a new team, obviously you’re building new relationships, trying to find your role, what you do. But they brought me here for a reason, and that was to shoot."
Kennard's performance was pivotal, contributing 13 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, along with three rebounds. The Lakers faced a formidable Orlando team and appeared to be on the brink of defeat until they forced a crucial turnover, setting up one last opportunity.
Tensions rose when officials missed a clear foul on a LeBron James drive, but the Lakers' coaching staff responded with a brilliant play call. Kennard found himself wide open, thanks to Marcus Smart's sharp decision-making.
"Smart had to make a couple reads and ended up finding me there," Kennard shared. "It was the right read.
Make or miss, I think we would have lived with the results because we executed both plays at the end."
This victory marked the ninth consecutive win for the Lakers, showcasing their ability to triumph in diverse situations with contributions from the entire roster. Kennard's addition has been a catalyst for this surge, instilling confidence in the team's potential.
Addressing a glaring need, the Lakers acquired Kennard to boost their 3-point shooting, a weakness in the first half of the season. Thus far, he’s delivered exactly what they needed, averaging 8.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists off the bench while boasting an impressive 46.2% from 3-point range. With the highest 3-point shooting percentage in the league at 48.6%, Kennard has been a game-changer, proving to be the sharpshooter the Lakers hoped for.