LeBron, Luka star in returns as Lakers take narrow win over 76ers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — LeBron James doesn't silence the crowd when he hits the road, he raises fans to their feet in exhilaration and gets them roaring in appreciation — as he did down the stretch in Philadelphia — for the clutch shots that could be the last they see in person as retirement speculation swirls.

The 76ers, well, they could have done without James throwing his game back to his prime.

In his first game since his NBA record double-digit scoring streak ended, James not only hit that mark in the first half, but he also scored 10 straight points in the fourth quarter in the decisive stretch that sent the Lakers to a 112-108 victory over the Sixers on Sunday night.

James scored 29 points on 12-of-17 shooting in a vintage performance that belied the fact the aging All-Star has battled injuries that curtailed his summer workouts and cost him the start of the season. He sat out Friday against Boston with sciatica, which kept him sidelined for the first 14 games this season, and left foot joint arthritis.

The brief time off after James' double-digit streak ended Thursday at Toronto helped him work through his injuries and get him healthy — healthier, at least — in time to face Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and the Sixers.

"I'm still not 100% but I felt a lot better tonight than I did coming out of the Toronto game," James said.

James' 10 point-run in the fourth went like this: a long 2, a 3-pointer, another 3 that snapped a tie with 1:12 left and a 20-foot fadeaway that made it 110-105 and put the game away.

"It never gets old," James said. "That's the one thing you won't be able to get back when you're done playing. That arena. That excitement of going out, the boos, the cheers, whatever the case. So do it in a win, it's even more important. That's what I hope, I'll come up clutch in a win. That's even more exciting."

James could use some excitement in a season that Lakers have so far successfully navigated without much of his presence. James, who will turn 41 on Dec. 30, played 36 minutes in the Lakers' 123-120 win over Toronto on Thursday night. The game saw the end of James' streak of 1,297 double-digit scoring games when the NBA’s career points leader finished with eight points.

By his own description, he's not in rhythm yet, after missing the entire preseason and all but seven games of the regular season with an injury.

"I've never not started a basketball season in my life since I started when I was 9 years old," James said. "When the season started, I was ready to go. It was definitely challenging to me mentally just sitting on the bench. Not being able to practice with the guys, not being able to get the reps in with the guys. Definitely challenging. I understand it's a process and I’ve always fell in love with the process more than anything."

James wasn't the only returning star for the Lakers.

Luka Doncic was back after he missed the last two games as he traveled to his hometown of Ljubljana, Slovenia where fiancee Anamaria Goltes gave birth to their daughter, Oliva.

"Obviously, two girls, they're going to make my life hell, for sure," Doncic said with a laugh. "All jokes aside, it's the best thing in the world."

Doncic ripped off a triple-double in his first game as a father or two with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists.

"I want to play the game for them," Doncic said. "When they grow up, they can see what their father did, basketball-wise."

Lakers coach JJ Redick has two children with his wife, Chelsea, said before the game he hoped Doncic would have enough energy to play after the long trip.

"We do know there was some travel involved to a different continent," Reddick said. "We're hoping he's himself today."

Doncic — who leads the league with 35.3 points in his first full season with the Lakers — was mostly himself, though the five-time All-Star didn’t have a sharp shooting touch but still played 39 minutes.

"Luka clearly with all the travel he's had this week wasn't necessarily at his best scoring the basketball," Redick said. "Still did a lot of great stuff for us. LeBron was our connector tonight."

He was the difference for the Lakers and easily outplayed his fellow 2024 Paris Games gold medalist in Embiid (missed 17 of 21 shots overall; 0 for 6 on 3s).

James may play another season. He may call it quits at the end of this season.

Either way, the Philly crowd of 20,431 sure showed their appreciation for a game when James came up big in big moments.

"I do think it's important to be reminded every now and then of what you're capable of," Redick said.