After going 5-3 during their two-week Grammy trip, the Los Angeles Lakers continued their winning ways at home, pulling out a slim 119-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
Despite Luka Doncic leaving the game shortly before halftime with a left leg injury, the Purple and Gold erupted late in the game to seal the win.
“I thought our toughness and our physicality really just allowed us to get back in the game,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said postgame.
Austin Reaves Erupts Off the Bench
In only his second game back after missing more than a month due to a calf injury, Austin Reaves anchored the Lakers’ offense with 35 points, along with 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
More impressively, Reaves came off the bench and played with a minutes restriction, seeing only 25 minutes of action.
“We bonded together, everybody bought in to having one goal, and that’s winning the game,” Reaves said postgame.
Sixers’ Winning Streak Ends
After winning five games in a row and climbing to sixth in the Eastern Conference, Philly came back down to Earth against the Lakers, with an ill-timed dry spell early in the final period contributing to their loss.
Joel Embiid paced the Sixers with 35 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in the losing effort, while Tyrese Maxey finished with a double-double of 26 points and 13 assists.
The Sixers will have a chance to bounce back when they face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday, while the Lakers can build on their momentum when they go up against the Golden State Warriors on the same day.
