He returned to the locker room throwing his towel on the ground, disgusted to leave his partners when he had just equalized at 95 all three minutes from the end. Author of one of his best career matches, Tuesday evening, in New Orleans (40 points, 11 rebounds), Zion Williamson injured his leg at the end of the match, and was unable to prevent the defeat of the his team at the end of the suspense against the Lakers (110-106).
Dominated in the paint throughout the match (only 36 points scored near the circle), the Lakers notably made the difference at three points (40% success), like the leader D’Angelo Russell, author of 21 points at 5/11 from afar. Leading at half-time (score 60-50), they saw the Pelicans gradually come back into the match, but were able to count on the experience of LeBron James (39 years old), decisive in finding standout teammates and attract fouls (23 points at 10/10 on free throws, 9 assists). Interior Anthony Davis added 20 points and 15 rebounds to secure the victory.
The Angelinos maintain their seventh place in the West, and will face Denver (2nd) in the first round of the play-offs from April 20. A remake of the conference final lost by Los Angeles last season (4-0).
Klay Thompson plombe Golden State
In the other match of the evening, Sacramento (9th in the standings) led in scoring throughout the match against Golden State (10th). The Kings killed the game in the second half thanks to Keegan Murray, top scorer with 32 points, and an insolent skill behind the arc (43.9%). Point guard De’Aaron Fox added 24 points and 6 assists.
Opposite, the Warriors never managed to find their rhythm, like the “Splash Brothers”, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The first scored 22 points but lost six balls, the second missed his 10 shots to finish with 0 points.
Champions in 2022, the Warriors will not see the final phase. Sacramento will meet New Orleans for a second play-in game on April 19. The winner will face Oklahoma City (1st in the West) in the first round of the play-offs.
