LeBron James records 31-point double-double LA Lakers narrowly defeat Phoenix Suns 106-103 to advance to NBA in-season tournament semi-finals

  • He is the first Laker since Kobe Bryant with at least 20 points, 11 asts and five stls
  • The Lakers now face the Pelicans in the tournament semifinals
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The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a nail-biting victory by defeating the Phoenix Suns 106-103 in the quarterfinals of the NBA regular season tournament.

LA will now take on the New Orleans Pelicans in the semifinals in Las Vegas.

LeBron James led the game with a double after scoring 31 points, 11 assists and also had eight rebounds.

He also became the first Laker with at least 20 points, 11 assists and five steals in a game since Kobe Bryant posted those numbers in November 2004 against the LA Clippers.

Anthony Davis also recorded a double-double with 27 points and 15 rebounds.

The LA Lakers defeated the Suns 106-103 in the quarterfinals of the NBA regular season tournament

The LA Lakers defeated the Suns 106-103 in the quarterfinals of the NBA regular season tournament

LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 31 points and 11 assists, guiding his team to victory

LeBron James led the way for the Lakers with 31 points and 11 assists, guiding his team to victory

James finished the game with 31 points, 11 assists, five steals and also had eight rebounds

Kobe Bryant plays against the LA Clippers in November 2004

The last Laker to record at least 20 points, 11 assists and five steals was Bryant in 2004

Austin Reaves had 20 points off the bench for the Lakers and hit a huge three-point shot with less than 20 seconds left to help LA secure the win.

Kevin Durant led the way for the Suns with 31 points, but failed to lead his team to victory and a chance to play in Vegas in the first-ever NBA tournament.

Fellow Suns Devin Booker and Grayson Allen also had strong performances in the loss for Phoenix.

Booker recorded a double-double of his own after finishing the game with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Allen surprisingly contributed 21 points of his own while filling in for an injured Bradley Beal.

The Milwaukee Bucks also won in their quarterfinal match against the New York Knicks earlier that night, making the final four teams the Bucks, Lakers, Pelicans and Indiana Pacers.