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Lakers' Luka Doncic, LeBron James Match Kobe Bryant and Shaq in Huge Playoff Feat

Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) leave a court after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 in game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Lakers superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic found themselves in rare air during the first half of Sunday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin (via ESPN Stats & Info), the dynamic duo have become the first Lakers twosome to notch 20 or more points apiece in the same half since Hall of Famers Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant accomplished the feat during the 2002 playoffs, en route to their third consecutive championship.

In the opening half, James finished with 22 points and three assists through the contest's first two quarters thanks to a ton of foul calls, while Doncic notched 21 points.

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The Lakers fell in a Game 4 heartbreaker to the Timberwolves, and now face a 3-1 series hole. All-NBA superstar shooting guard Anthony Edwards scored 43 points in the victory, on 12-of-23 shooting from the field (5-of-10 from deep) and 14-of-17 shooting from the foul line, while also chipping in nine rebounds, six assists and a block. The three-time All-Star swingman contributed 16 of his 43 points in the fourth frame, during which the Timberwolves and Lakers traded buckets.

While James played solid defense, the clearly gassed 40-year-old scored zero points in a critical fourth quarter for Los Angeles.

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In a whopping 46:14 of action, James finished with 27 points on just 5-of-9 shooting from the floor (2-of-4 from long range), but managed to nab 18 foul shots, nailing 15. He also pulled down 12 boards, dished out eight dimes, swiped three steals and blocked three shots.

Across 45:49, Doncic scored 38 points on 13-of-28 shooting from the field (5-of-12 from distance) and 7-of-7 shooting from the charity stripe, while passing for two assists, pulling down one rebound, blocking a shot and logging a steal.

Minnesota has an opportunity close out the Lakers when the action returns to Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday. That contest tips off at 7 p.m. PT.

More Los Angeles Lakers News:

Pau Gasol Sent Special Message to Lakers' Luka Doncic After Epic Return to Dallas

Western Conference Executive Compares Lakers' Austin Reaves to Undrafted Hall of Famer

Los Angeles Insider Walks Back Criticism of Bronny James with Honest Admission

Lakers Linked to $100 Million Blazers Star as Summer Trade Target

For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Los Angeles Lakers On SI.


Published
Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

Currently also a scribe for Newsweek, Hoops Rumors, The Sporting News and "Gremlins" director Joe Dante's film site Trailers From Hell, Alex is an alum of Men's Journal, Grizzlies fan site Grizzly Bear Blues, and Bulls fan sites Blog-A-Bull and Pippen Ain't Easy, among others.