James scores 32, Lakers sweep 2-game set against Kings with 103-99 win

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James had 32 points and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 103-99 to sweep a two-game set on Saturday.

Trailing 101-99 with 12 seconds left, the Kings had a chance to tie after Anthony Davis missed two free throws but squandered the opportunity after they couldn't secure the rebound. Austin Reaves was fouled and made both free throws to put the game away.

Reaves finished with 16 points, and Davis had 10 points and 15 rebounds as the Lakers completed the sweep after beating the Kings 113-100 on Thursday.

De'Aaron Fox led Sacramento with 31 points. Domantas Sabonis had 19 points and 19 rebounds, and DeMar DeRozan added 12 points for the Kings.

Davis earned his 642nd block and passed Kobe Bryant for the fifth most in franchise history.

Lakers: Los Angeles turned the ball over 10 times in the first quarter but only turned it over four times in the remaining three quarters.

Kings: Head coach Mike Brown hoped to see fewer turnovers and fouls from his team, but Sacramento opened the game with a bad pass and a shooting foul on James. The Kings racked up four turnovers in the first five minutes, but when the Lakers started turning it over as well, Sacramento capitalized.

After Davis missed the second free throw, Rui Hachimura tipped the ball back to Davis who quickly dumped it to Reaves, forcing the Kings to foul.

Both teams shot under 30% from 3, but Sacramento (27%) had the slight edge over Los Angeles (25.7%).

The Lakers will host the Pistons on Monday, and the Kings will face the Pacers on short rest Sunday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket with Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James backs up Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) at the 3-point line during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) drives to the basket as forward LeBron James (23) sets a screen on Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) makes a layup over Sacramento Kings forward Trey Lyles (41) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) draws a foul on Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks to pass the ball with Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James draws the foul on Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots over Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura dunks with Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) on defense during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)

Veteran Australia batter Usman Khawaja has announced he will retire from international cricket after the fifth Ashes test beginning Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He didn't go quietly.

The Pakistan-born Khawaja, who was the first Muslim to play for Australia, used his retirement announcement Friday to criticize the “racial" stereotyping he experienced during his career.

It will be the 39-year-old Khawaja's 88th and final test — played at the ground where he began his first-class career. Khawaja scored his first Ashes century at the SCG with 171 against England in 2018.

It was also at that the SCG where he revived his career at age 35, scoring two centuries against England. That prompted one of the great late-career revivals, as Khawaja hit seven centuries in his next two years back in the side.

But Khawaja’s position had come under scrutiny and criticism this season after being unable to open in the first Ashes test in Perth due to back spasms and then missing the Brisbane test with the injury.

He was then initially left out in Adelaide until Steve Smith’s vertigo allowed Khawaja to return, before an 82 in the first innings there ensured he would stay in the side for the fourth test in Melbourne. Australia, with a 3-1 lead going into the fifth test, has retained the Ashes.

Khawaja said he felt he was treated “a little bit different, even to now,” because of his Pakistan and Muslim background.

"Different in the way I’ve been treated, different in how things have happened,” he said at a media conference in Sydney. “I had back spasms, it was something I couldn’t control. The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me . . . I copped it for about five days straight. Everyone was piling in.

“Once the racial stereotypes came in, of me being lazy, it was things I’ve dealt with my whole life. Pakistani, West Indian, colored players...we’re selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don’t care about the team, we don’t train hard enough."

Khawaja said he knew the end of his career was imminent.

“I guess moving into this series, I had an inkling this would be the last series," he said. "I’m glad I can go out on my own terms.”

Khawaja has scored 6,206 runs at an average of 43.49 in his 87 tests with 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries.

“Usman has made a huge contribution to Australian cricket both through his outstanding achievements as one of our most stylish and resilient batters . . . and off field, particularly through the Usman Khawaja Foundation,” Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said in a statement.

“Usman has been one of Australia’s most reliable opening batters and testament to his success was him being named ICC test cricketer of the year the same season that Australia won the World Test Championship (in 2023).”

Khawaja said his No. 1 emotion on announcing his retirement was “contentment.”

“I’m very lucky to have played so many games for Australia the way I have,” Khawaja said. "I hope I have inspired people along the way.”

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja with his wife Rachel and daughters Aisha and Ayla after announcing that he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja, centre, sits with teammates after announcing he will retire from international cricket following the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja warms up during a practice session ahead of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Travis Head, right, is congratulated by teammate Usman Khawaja after reaching 50 runs during play on day three of the third Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/James Elsby)

Australia's Usman Khawaja sign autograph to fans after they won the third Ashes cricket test match against England in Adelaide, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 (AP Photo/James Elsby)