Rui Hachimura drilled a corner three off a pinpoint feed from LeBron James as time expired, lifting the Los Angeles Lakers to a dramatic 123–120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night.
The buzzer-beater capped a wild finish, and came on a night when James’ historic streak finally ended. The assist was James’ 11th of the game, but he scored just eight points, snapping his NBA-record 1,297-game double-digit scoring streak. He shot 4-for-17, missed all five threes, and didn’t attempt a free throw.
Yet, it didn't matter. Austin Reaves supplied the offense. Reaves exploded for 44 points, including 22 in the third quarter, and added 10 assists as the Lakers improved to 9–2 on the road and won for the eighth time in nine games.
Los Angeles pulled it out despite missing Luka Dončić (personal reasons) and Marcus Smart (lower back). After Toronto’s Brandon Ingram missed a layup with 23 seconds left, James took control, drawing the defense and firing to Hachimura, who buried the winner, his only basket of the fourth quarter.
DeAndre Ayton scored 17, Jake LaRavia added 14, and Hachimura and Nate Smith Jr. each scored 12 for L.A. Reaves shot 13-for-15 from the line and 5-for-11 from deep in one of the best performances of his career.
The Raptors were led by Scottie Barnes’ 23 points and Ingram’s 20. JaKobe Walter added 17, and Sandro Mamukelashvili and Immanuel Quickley scored 13 apiece. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles added 12 and Jamison Battle had 10.
Toronto played without Jakob Poeltl (back), Ochai Agbaji (personal), and RJ Barrett, who missed his sixth straight game with a right knee injury.
Up Next:
*Lakers: At Boston on Friday.
Raptors: Host Charlotte on Friday.*
