The Los Angeles Lakers clinched their historic victory as the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament champions by defeating the Indiana Pacers in the title match in Las Vegas on Saturday. LeBron James and Anthony Davis spearheaded the Purple and Gold’s triumphant journey, showcasing their prowess in high-stakes games.

Throughout the contest, LA maintained a lead, surging ahead by as much as 11 points in the late stages of the third quarter. Despite the Pacers’ resilient efforts, characteristic of their performance throughout the 2023-24 season, the game became tense at the onset of the final period before the Lakers ultimately secured the win.

Tyrese Haliburton, initially slow to gain momentum in the first half with just seven points, emerged in the second half, contributing significantly to keep the Pacers in the running. A 7-2 run within the first minute and a half of the fourth quarter allowed them to trim the Lakers’ lead to just three points.

However, the combined force of LeBron James and Anthony Davis proved insurmountable. The turning point for the Lakers occurred when they limited the Pacers to a mere five points in five minutes, orchestrating an impressive 17-point run. This surge propelled them to a commanding 115-99 lead with three minutes remaining, sealing their triumph.

Anthony Davis displayed dominance with an exceptional double-double, amassing 41 points and 20 rebounds, while also contributing five assists and four blocks. LeBron James, motivated throughout the game, embodied the “Prime LeBron” as described by Rick Carlisle prior to the showdown. James relentlessly attacked the basket, concluding the game with 24 points in addition to 11 rebounds, four assists, and two steals.