Lakers vs Pacers: LeBron James Makes NBA History with Buzzer-Beater in Lakers’ Win Over Pacers

The Los Angeles Lakers were finally able to snap their three-game losing streak as they took down the Indiana Pacers 120-119. However, it wasn’t an easy win. As the game was approaching its end, it looked like the Lakers were headed to their fourth consecutive loss. However, as he has done on many occasions throughout his two-decade-long career, LeBron James came to the rescue once again.

In the final seven seconds of the game, with the Lakers trailing the Pacers 119-118, their newest signing, Luka Doncic, had the ball. He put up a floater that bounced off the rim as the clock ticked down to nearly one second. As the missed shot bounced around the rim, James positioned himself nearby and tapped it in.

His game-winning shot helped him enter the NBA record books. LeBron James is now tied with Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson for the second-most buzzer-beaters in league history, with eight. He trails only the legendary Michael Jordan, who holds the record with nine game-winning buzzer-beaters.

In addition, it also marked James’ first buzzer beater since he moved to the Lakers. His last buzzer-beater shot came with the Cleveland Cavaliers during their playoff clash against the Toronto Raptors in 2018.  

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LeBron James – The Oldest Player to Hit a Game-Winning Buzzer Beater

As LeBron guided the side to their 44th win of the season, he achieved another unique NBA feat. The 21-time All-Star became the oldest player in NBA history to hit a game-winning buzzer-beater. He now has scored buzzer beater in his 20s, 30s and 40s. 

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James finished the game with 13 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. This was his 1,283 consecutive game with 10+ points, the longest streak in the history of the league. Speaking about his performance as well as making crucial plays for the game, James said that it is going to take him some time to find his rhythm back but he can always do things to help the team win. 

James told ESPN, “It’s going to take a little bit to get my rhythm back offensively, get my win back, get my cardio back but one thing about my game I can always do other things on the floor to help our team win even when I’m not shooting the ball.”