SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — LeBron James made a pair of free throws with 1.2 seconds left in the second overtime to cap his triple-double of 36 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists, outdueling Stephen Curry as the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Golden State Warriors 145-144. Curry hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left in the second OT and hit another over Anthony Davis with 1:22 to go on the way to 46 points with a season-high nine 3s.
Elsewhere in the NBA:
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A bat descended on the court and delayed play after Victor Wembanyama made a 3-pointer two minutes into the San Antonio Spurs’ 113-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. The Spurs’ mascot, The Coyote, captured the bat with a net after numerous failed attempts, much to the delight of Wembanyama and Spurs teammate Jeremy Sochan. The Coyote previously corralled two bats, while former Spurs star Manu Ginobili swatted another to the court with his bare hand in November 2009. Wembanyama went on to score nine points over the next two minutes. The French rookie finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Adam Silver is finalizing an extension to remain as commissioner of the NBA for several more years, a person with knowledge of the agreement said Saturday night. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement from the league had been made. ESPN, which first reported the agreement, said Silver’s new deal will stretch “through the end of the decade.”
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Doc Rivers and the Milwaukee Bucks each have endured plenty of recent playoff disappointment. They’re now joining forces as the Bucks attempt to meet sky-high expectations by winning their second title in four years. Rivers held his introductory news conference as Milwaukee’s coach on Saturday, four days after the Bucks fired Adrian Griffin following just 43 games. Rivers began this season working as an ESPN analyst after the Philadelphia 76ers fired him last year. The opportunity to lead the Bucks brought Rivers back to coaching.
