The Los Angeles Lakers played against the Utah Jazz on November 19, 2024, in an exciting game for the Emirates NBA Cup. The Lakers won 124-118, marking their sixth straight victory. This win improved their season record to 10-4. Meanwhile, the Jazz dropped to 3-11 and remained winless in the Cup Play with a record of 0-2.
Game Highlights
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Lakers’ Performance
The Lakers were led by rookie Dalton Knecht, who had a standout night, scoring a career-high 37 points. Knecht shot an impressive 12-of-16 from the field, including 9-for-12 from three-point range. His performance tied the NBA rookie record for most three-pointers in a game.
LeBron James also made significant contributions, finishing with 26 points and 12 assists. His leadership helped the Lakers maintain control throughout the game.
Jazz’s Comeback Effort
Despite trailing by as many as 25 points, the Jazz showed resilience in the second half. Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Keyonte George added 18 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, making a strong push to close the gap.
Game Flow
The Lakers started strong, leading 34-22 at the end of the first quarter. They kept their lead through the second and third quarters, thanks to good plays from Knecht and James. The Jazz had a tough start but fought back in the second half. They cut the deficit to just six points late in the fourth quarter.
Key Moments
A key moment happened when Dalton Knecht scored four three-pointers in a row during the third quarter. This scoring burst helped the Lakers increase their lead and kept the Jazz from catching up.
Player Statistics
Los Angeles Lakers
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG | 3PT | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton Knecht | 37 | 5 | 0 | 12/16 | 9/12 | 4/5 |
| LeBron James | 26 | 12 | 9 | 9/17 | 5/11 | 7/11 |
| Anthony Davis | 26 | 14 | 6 | 10/15 | 0/1 | 6/10 |
| Austin Reaves | 17 | 5 | 6 | 6/14 | 3/7 | 2/2 |
| C. Reddish | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1/10 | 0/2 | 2/2 |
Utah Jazz
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG | 3PT | FT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lauri Markkanen | 25 | 8 | 0 | 9/16 | 3/8 | 4/4 |
| Collin Sexton | 19 | 4 | 6 | 6/12 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| John Collins | 18 | 2 | 1 | 8/14 | 1/2 | 1/1 |
| Keyonte George | 18 | 6 | 7 | 7/13 | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Jordan Clarkson | 18 | 4 | 2 | 6/15 | 5/5 | 0/0 |
Implications for Cup Play
With this loss, the Jazz are likely out of the Emirates NBA Cup. They need to win their last games against the San Antonio Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. They also hope for good results in other matches to have any chance of moving forward.
On the other hand, the Lakers lead Group B with a 2-0 record. They are in a strong position for the next rounds of the tournament. Their upcoming games will be against tough teams like the Orlando Magic and the Denver Nuggets.
Upcoming Matches
The Jazz will face the Spurs next on November 26, 2024, which will be crucial for their hopes in this tournament. The Lakers will continue their campaign against the Magic and Nuggets later this week.
Key Quotes
- Jazz Coach Will Hardy on Team Energy:“I thought the beginning of the game was disappointing from an energy standpoint.”
- Dalton Knecht on his performance:“I’m just trying to help the team win and play my role.”
- Lauri Markkanen on the team’s fight:“We battled back to keep the game close in the final minutes.”
Important Facts
- The Lakers’ victory marked their sixth consecutive win.
- Knecht’s performance tied him with other notable rookies for most threes made in a single game.
- The Lakers shot 14 of 31 (45.2%) from three-point range, showcasing their shooting strength.
- The Jazz fought back from a 25-point deficit, cutting it down to just six points late in the fourth quarter. This showed their determination.
This game highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. It also set the stage for their upcoming challenges in the season.