The Los Angeles Lakers are going to play for the first NBA Cup after obliterating the New Orleans Pelicans, 133-89, in the semifinal round of the in-season tournament on Thursday.
While the first quarter was competitive, the Lakers started stomping on their opponents in the second quarter and never let up. In the second and third periods, they outscored New Orleans, 81-41, and seemed to take the life out of Zion Williamson and company.
LeBron James was the engine that powered L.A. to this extremely lopsided victory. He scored 18 points in the critical second period. In just 23 minutes, he tallied 30 points on 9-of-12 shooting, eight assists, five rebounds and zero turnovers.
NBA social media reacted to this resounding performance while anticipating Saturday’s final between the Lakers and the Indiana Pacers.
The lakers put everyone on notice tonight, dominant showing from start to finish.
— Liaudwin Seaberry Jr. (@LiaudwinJr) December 8, 2023
That's it: LeBron accomplishes his mission, winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament. The Pacers took out the Celtics and Bucks for him. Now he and the Lakers will cake-walk past the Pacers. Congrats, King.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 8, 2023
But of course, LeBron will never pile up enough career accolades to catch Jordan's 6-0 Finals record with 6 Finals MVPs … not to mention Jordan's 10 scoring titles to LeBron's 1 … & Jordan's DPOY to LBJ's 0 … & LBJ's 6 Finals losses (including 2011 meltdown) to MJ's 0 …
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 8, 2023
I give LeBron this: He did keep his team together long enough to outlast everyone and win a Bubble Championship that deserved a cubic zirconia ring, and now he has won a cute little gimmicky November/December tournament in its first year. Impressive.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 8, 2023
@RealSkipBayless I guarantee you if the @Lakers lose in the championship game to the @Pacers your tone will change. You will put it as a mark in @KingJames finals loss record. Just enjoy the game and Lebrons last few years. #nba #InSeasonTournament #NBAInSeasonTournament
— Simply Tramaine (@tramainebrown) December 8, 2023
People sleeping on the Lakers. One clown went as far to say before the game that the pelicans are more talented than the Lakers. 🤣
— AllenPaul (@allenpaul102) December 8, 2023
Lakers are due for a 5-6 game winning streak
— AJ 🪭 (@Zhaklina0) December 8, 2023
I’m so glad he’s on our team. Ppl don’t realize what’s he’s doing
— Jojo_saved_it (@jojo_saved) December 8, 2023
YEAR 21 AND STILL DOMINATING NAME ANOTHER PLAYER DOING THIS YOU CANT 🗣️
— 𝟐𝟑 👑 (@BronWorld) December 8, 2023
Win or lose Saturday, we 100% proved we are contenders. Lets go lakers
— LeBron James Parody (@BronssBurner) December 8, 2023
Aging like fine wine
— Blessing (@Blessin08201200) December 8, 2023
SEEMS LIKE EVERY GAME LEBRON DOES SOMETHING UNIQUE!
— vaughn hardenberg (@vaughnhardenbe1) December 8, 2023
Lakers can't beat good teams and other short stories 😂😂😂.#LakeShow https://t.co/J8KeKrGEFT
— Fidel Makori (@FidelMakori) December 8, 2023
It feels like the lakers are 100-0 when AD sends one into the 5th row in the first quarter.
— Dan Bailey (@drichardbailey) December 8, 2023
Hope the Lakers saved some of those buckets for Saturday
— oldie wan kenobi (@terrelly) December 8, 2023
Lakers by 50
— ²³𝙻𝚎𝙱𝚛𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚜🏀☄️🌎💞 (@BronGotGame) December 8, 2023
