LOS ANGELES — LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 130-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night with a team-high 25 points (10-of-19 FGs, 4-of-6 FTs), seven rebounds, and 10 assists in 33 minutes of play.
James got off to a slow start in his return after missing a game due to non-COVID illness, but he eventually found his stride. Four of James’ teammates also scored in double figures in the first half alone, as the Lakers (18-21) ran away from the visiting Hawks. Read more: Latest NBA results on Jan. 6
Lakers vs Hawks Lebron James Gets Help
Kendrick Nunn scored 23 points, Dennis Schroder had 21 points with five 3-pointers, Russell Westbrook contributed 18 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists, and Thomas Bryant added 19 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles for its first four-game winning streak in almost a year.
Meanwhile, Trae Young led the Hawks with a game-high 32 points, nine assists, and three steals, but it wasn’t enough as the Hawks lost their fifth game in six outings.
Young scored 17 of his points in the third quarter, while John Collins, De’Andre Hunter, and Dejounte Murray added 16 points apiece. Hunter and Collins also grabbed eight boards, with Murray dishing out six assists in the road defeat.
Shooting stats
The Hawks shot 45.8% (44-96) but made just nine of 31 3-pointers, while the Lakers shot 54.8% (51-98) and made 16 of 35 3-pointers.
Los Angeles also had 51 total rebounds, compared to the Hawks’ 39. In the paint, the Lakers scored 66 points (33-51), while Atlanta tallied 50 points (25-47). LA led 66-46 at halftime after building a 26-point advantage at 60-34 in the second quarter.
LA Lakers vs Hawks 2023 (22/23) season: Los Angeles swept Atlanta in the two-game series. LA scored 130 points in both wins.
Lakers vs Hawks box score: Click here
The Lakers, meantime, remain without Lonnie Walker (knee) and Austin Reaves (hamstring), who are expected to be out for at least two weeks, and Anthony Davis is also injured.
They will face the Sacramento Kings on Saturday, while the Hawks will take on the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.
