The Los Angeles Lakers are the first winners of the NBA’s newly created in-season tournament. Anthony Davis led the Californians to victory over the Indiana Pacers in the final, LeBron lifted his own trophy
The Los Angeles Lakers are the first winners in the new National Basketball Association competition. In the final in Las Vegas, the Californians defeated the surprise team of the Indiana Pacers by a clear 126:109 thanks to a 15:3 spurt in the fourth quarter. Man of the evening on the Strip: Anthony Davis. The big man led the way with 41 points, 20 rebounds and four blocked shots and was the go-to-guy with 14 points in the final period.
Reaves scores 28 points
“He just dominated. That was a dominant performance by Shaquille O’Neal,” said LeBron James about his congenial partner and in memory of the former star center and current TV presenter, who, like tennis legend Steffi Graf, was one of the celebrities in the stands. The King himself did not let himself down once again and was the third-best scorer of the evening behind guard Austin Reaves (28 points).
For winning the title in this early season climax, each Lakers player receives 500,000 US dollars, so three players on the squad with minimum contracts double their annual salary.
Champagne shower with ski goggles
“When we’re on the pitch together, we know what we’re capable of. We’ve shared so many great moments,” James said, noting that “records can be broken” but the first title in a new competition can never be taken away. The 38-year-old was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, before he took a champagne shower in the dressing room – armed with ski goggles, while many of his previously untitled teammates were unprepared for it.
Haliburton often on the chain
With the Pacers playing so furiously in this tournament, point guard Tyrese Haliburton “only” managed 20 points and eleven assists and was successfully kept in check for long stretches by an attentive Lakers defense. The Pacers professionals receive 200,000 dollars each.
Now it’s on to the regular season, where the Lakers are fifth in the West at 14-9, while the Pacers (12-8) are tied for fifth in the East. The final game was the only game of the in-season tournament not included in the standings.
The NBA introduced the cup tournament to add more excitement to the early stages of the season. The next highlight will traditionally be the Christmas Games.
