LeBron James loses on his 41st birthday as Cunningham leads the Pistons past the Lakers, 128-106

LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James scored 17 points on his 41st birthday, but Cade Cunningham had 27 points and 11 assists while leading the Detroit Pistons to a 128-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

James hit three 3-pointers and added four assists and four rebounds in the 1,577th regular-season game of his unprecedented 23rd season, but he spent the final minutes of his birthday game sitting with his arms folded on the bench while watching the conclusion of the Lakers' fourth loss in five games.

The top scorer in league history is the 12th player to appear in an NBA game at 41 or older — just the sixth in this century.

Marcus Sasser scored a season-high 19 points and Isaiah Stewart had 15 for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons, who snapped their two-game skid to finish 3-2 on their West Coast trip.

Detroit won its third straight meeting with the Lakers despite losing third-leading scorer Tobias Harris to a left hip sprain in the first quarter.

Luka Doncic had 30 points and 11 assists for the Lakers, who have lost four of five for the first time since last season's playoffs. Jaxson Hayes had 13 points, but the Lakers couldn't match up defensively with the hard-nosed Pistons.

Detroit took control early with accurate shooting, consistent drives to the rim and a re-establishment of its defensive prowess after getting shredded by Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers two days ago. The Pistons weathered a tying rally led by James in the third quarter before surging ahead with a 16-6 run extending into the fourth.

Detroit scored 74 points in the paint, repeatedly beating Deandre Ayton and the Lakers' undersized frontline down low.

The Lakers fell to 20-11, and they still haven't taken a single-digit loss all season.

Pistons: Host the Miami Heat on Thursday.

Lakers: Host the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

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

Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser (25) reacts after a basket by Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Detroit Pistons guard Javonte Green (31) dunks the ball while being guarded by Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Smith Jr. (20) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) looks to pass the ball while being guarded by Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Ken Seals passed for 258 yards and the game-winning touchdown in overtime as TCU rallied to beat No. 16 Southern California 30-27 on Tuesday night in the Alamo Bowl.

After being sacked for a 10-yard loss on second down, Seals was facing third-and-20 from the 35 when he found running back Jeremy Payne with a short toss in the left flat. Payne caught the ball at the line of scrimmage and wriggled past four defenders, breaking multiple tackles as he bolted down the sideline into the end zone.

A sixth-year senior completing his collegiate career, Seals was named Offensive MVP for leading his hometown team to victory.

Payne had six catches for 50 yards and the game-ending touchdown. He also rushed for 73 yards and a TD on 13 carries.

Seals directed a 13-play, 59-yard drive in the final 2:44 of regulation to force overtime on a 27-yard field goal by Kyle Lemmermann as time expired.

It was the fourth overtime in the bowl’s 33-year history.

TCU (9-4) limited USC (9-4) to a field goal on the opening possession of OT despite incurring a pass-interference call in the end zone that gave the Trojans a first down at the 2-yard line.

Trojans junior quarterback Jayden Maiava passed for 280 yards and a touchdown but threw two interceptions.

USC failed to score early in the third quarter following an interception by Christian Pierce. The drive ended when Maiava's pass was intercepted in the end zone.

Jaden Richardson scored on a one-handed grab for USC in the front left corner of the end zone with 49 seconds remaining in the third. Richardson reached back with his right arm as he was falling backward, pulling the ball into his chest and tappping his right foot inbounds for a 21-yard touchdown reception from Maiava.

Taniela Tupou’s two-point reception extended USC’s lead to 21-14.

TCU grabbed a 14-13 lead in the first half on a pair of short rushing touchdowns that capped 75-yard drives.

Jon Denman opened the scoring with a 5-yard run with 13:36 remaining in the second quarter.

Seals added a second touchdown nine minutes later on a 1-yard run.

USC: The Trojans failed to win 10 games for the third straight season.

TCU: The Horned Frogs had a prolific offense this season but must start anew next year. TCU lost offensive coordinator Kendal Briles to South Carolina, starting quarterback Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal and top wide receiver Eric McAlister is headed to the NFL.

USC: Will host Fresno State on Sept. 5 next year in what could be the first game of Maiava's Heisman Trophy campaign.

TCU: Will face North Carolina on Aug. 29 in Dublin, Ireland, to kick off next year's college football season.

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TCU running back Jeremy Payne, center, celebrates with teammates after he ran for a touchdown against Southern California during overtime in the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game in San Antonio, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)