LeBron shines as Lakers top Spurs

LOS ANGELES, California: LeBron James had 30 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, and Anthony Davis had 28 points and 13 rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ seventh victory in nine games, 123-118, over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday (Saturday in Manila).

Victor Wembanyama had 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in his first road game against the Lakers. The French rookie sensation added five blocked shots and five steals, making him the youngest player in NBA history to achieve the rare “5x5” statistical performance — at least five points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals in one game.

Wembanyama scored 16 points in a dominant first quarter, but Davis answered his fellow No. 1 overall pick’s challenge with impressive play in the next two quarters while the Lakers maintained their lead. Davis sat out the entire fourth quarter of the second game in a back-to-back set, and Jaxson Hayes performed capably in his place against Wembanyama while the Lakers cruised to their 12th win in 18 games.

San Antonio finished on a 17-5 run in the final 3 1/2 minutes to trim the final margin considerably.

D’Angelo Russell had 22 points and six assists on his 28th birthday, while Rui Hachimura added 17 points for the Lakers, who haven’t been able to move higher ninth place in the Western Conference standings despite their surge in recent weeks. Los Angeles returned from the AllStar break with a loss to Golden State on Thursday.

But James came back strong after missing the Lakers’ last two games to rest his sore ankle, although he played in the All-Star Game in between.