NBA: Lakers use 4th-quarter run to top Kings, improve to 3-0

LeBron James had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, and Anthony Davis became the first Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2005-06 to open the season with three straight 30-plus-point games as Los Angeles rode a fourth-quarter surge to down the visiting Sacramento Kings 131-127 on Saturday.

Los Angeles (3-0) came into the game looking to extend the first unbeaten start since the 2010-11 Lakers went 8-0.

De'Aaron Fox knocked down a pair of 3-pointers to close the third quarter and send the Kings into the final period with a seven-point lead.

The Lakers went on a 21-0 run to open the fourth quarter. James scored 16 of those points on a variety of shots, including three 3-pointers. The other five points in the pivotal run came on a Dalton Knecht 3-pointer and a Jaxson Hayes dunk to give Los Angeles a 108-94 lead with 8:23 left in the fourth.

But Sacramento battled back, outsourcing the Lakers 29-17 to cut the deficit to two points in the final minute. DeMar DeRozan scored 13 of his 23 points during that stretch, which was capped by Malik Monk's layup with 55.7 left that trimmed Los Angeles' lead to 125-123.

Davis answered with a three-pointer to push the Lakers' advantage to 128-123. After Domantas Sabonis and Rui Hachimura traded dunks, Fox hit a layup with 11 seconds left to cut the Kings' deficit to 130-127. Davis hit one of two free throws and Gabe Vincent stole the ball from Fox on the final possession to seal the win -- Los Angeles' first against the Kings since January 2023.

All five Lakers starters scored in double-figures. Hachimura had 18 points and nine rebounds, and Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell each scored 16 points.

Knecht added 10 points off the bench.

Sabonis led Sacramento with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Sabonis registered 26 triple-doubles last season.

Fox scored 28 points in the loss, and Keegan Murray, Kevin Huerter and Monk each finished with 14 points.

--Field Level Media/Reuters