Late heroics from LeBron James, Tyson Chandler send Lakers past Hawks
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers fell into yet another close battle on Sunday night — this time against the Atlanta Hawks at the Staples Center.
James was on the free throw line with less than 20 seconds left, but missed his final shot. Kyle Kuzma picked up the rebound in the lane and quickly threw up a contested shot.
It didn’t fall, but instead hung around on the side of the rim.
In comes James.
James — who had snuck behind into the short corner — grabbed the ball and flew in for a put-back dunk, putting the Lakers back on top.
The Hawks, though, had one last chance.
With time expiring on the other end of the floor, rookie Trae Young drove through the lane and nearly had a layup at the front of the rim.
Tyson Chandler — who recently signed with the Lakers after being waived by the Suns — came flying out from underneath the rim to block Young and send his shot flying, ending the game and securing the 107-106 win for the Lakers.
The celebration that ensued, naturally, was massive.
Reporter: “What did LeBron say to you after the block at the end?”
Tyson Chandler: “Honestly, I don’t remember.”
LeBron James (screaming from across the locker room): “I said, ‘THAT’S MY DAAAWGGG!’”— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 12, 2018
“He’s huge,” James said of Chandler. “We knew we had a spot that needed some reassurance and for us to be able to get Tyson in the fashion that we got him and to implement him in right away and the impact that he’s made in three games so far, it’s great.”
As for his continuing free throw struggles, though, James didn’t hold back.
“I’m garbage. I suck from the free throw line right now,” James said.
“I’ll get my rhythm back.”
James finished with 16 points and seven rebounds in the win, shooting 10-of-20 from the field. Chandler finished with four points and five rebounds.
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