Sports
Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Sunday’s incredible sports slate had one more unbelievable finish.
On a day when the men’s World Cup final went into penalty shootouts, and nine different NFL games were decided by a single score, the Los Angeles Lakers added some drama of their own with a Thomas Bryant game-winner.
Bryant, who is playing a larger role for the Purple and Gold with Anthony Davis sidelined by a foot injury, scored off a LeBron James assist that came off a broken play. Kyle Kuzma then missed a three-pointer on the other end, and Los Angeles escaped with a 119-117 victory over the Washington Wizards.
There was plenty of reaction on social media:
NBA @NBA
WILD SEQUENCE IN LA 🤯
LAKERS WIN 119-117 pic.twitter.com/bNeFb2JRL0
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
A near LeBron James turnover led to a wide open look for Thomas Bryant. Wow
Chris Manning @LD2K
Leave it to a Bryant to seal it for the #LakeShow in the clutch!
Lakers Lead @LakersLead
THOMAS BRYANT TONIGHT
▫️16 points
▫️10 rebounds
▫️ONE GAME WINNERTB31 STEPPING IN HUGE WITH NO AD pic.twitter.com/MiujeQiTZ3
Bryant notched a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while James finished with 33 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. The King also had a go-ahead dunk in the final 30 seconds, although Bradley Beal answered on the other end with two free throws.
Los Angeles is still an ugly 13-16 on the season, but it has played much better of late following a 2-10 start.
Maintaining this momentum will be a tall order, though, considering Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported Davis is expected to be sidelined for “at least one month” with the foot injury.
Bryant is expected to be the primary fill-in, and he certainly proved he could come through in the big moments in such a role on Sunday.
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