Trae Young leads Hawks past LeBron James, Lakers 117-113

Rookie Trae Young had 22 points and 14 assists, John Collins also scored 22 points despite foul trouble, and the Atlanta Hawks defeated LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 117-113 on Tuesday night.

The Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak despite a triple-double from James, who had 28 points, 16 assists and 11 rebounds.

Both teams struggled mightily in the final quarter after an up-and-down track meet over the first three periods.

Atlanta Hawks forward DeAndre' Bembry (95) scores against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

The Hawks scored just seven points in the final 6:33 but managed to hold on. Taurean Prince delivered a key 3-pointer with 1:48 remaining, and Young darted past James for a lay-in and a foul that thwarted any hope of a Lakers comeback.

Atlanta tied a franchise record for 3-pointers in a quarter, going 10 of 17 in the opening period for a 38-32 lead. The Lakers fought back to take a 69-65 edge at the half, but Atlanta pulled ahead for good to lead 100-95 going to the fourth.

Despite chants of "Kobe's better" from the sellout crowd of 16,824, James was cheered loudly by a hefty contingent of Lakers fans. He turned in a dazzling effort, but it wasn't enough to make up for the subpar group around him. Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram scored 19 points apiece.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) drives against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

The Lakers had a chance after an Atlanta turnover led to a driving basket by James, cutting the home team's lead to 116-113. But after desperately trying to come up with a steal, Los Angeles was forced to foul Kevin Huerter with 4.3 seconds left. He made the second of two free throws to seal the victory.

TIP-INS

Lakers: James had 13 points and 10 assists by halftime, to go along with five rebounds. ... Rajon Rondo was charged with six turnovers.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Rajon Rondo (9) reaches in to knock the ball away from Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP PhotoJohn Bazemore)

Hawks: After matching its record for 3s in a quarter, set Oct. 21 at Cleveland, Atlanta missed all six of its attempts beyond the arc the next period. ... Vince Carter turned in some crucial minutes, scoring 11 points after sitting out Sunday's loss to Orlando. ... Collins picked up his fifth foul with 7:19 remaining but managed to make it to the buzzer.

UP NEXT

Lakers: Head into the All-Star break after completing a six-game trip. They don't play again until Feb. 21, when Los Angeles will host James Harden and the Houston Rockets.

Hawks: Host the New York Knicks on Thursday in their final game before the break.

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)