NBA

LeBron returns from injury with triple-double in Lakers win, Morant stars in Grizzlies rout

By Sports Desk February 06, 2022

LeBron James returned from a five-game injury-enforced absence with a triple-double as the Los Angeles Lakers won 122-115 over the New York Knicks in overtime.

James had missed five games with swelling in his left knee but returned in style, contributing 29 points with 13 rebounds and 10 assists as they rallied from a 21-point second-quarter deficit.

The Lakers had gone 1-4 in James' absence but the four-time MVP was pivotal with his fourth triple-double of the season.

Anthony Davis was excellent for the Lakers with 28 points and 17 rebounds, while Malik Monk added 29 points too.

RJ Barrett netted a career-high 36 points and Julius Randle added 32 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists for the Knicks.

 

Suns bounce back, Morant stars

The table-topping Phoenix Suns bounced back from their loss to the Atlanta Hawks with a 95-80 win over the Washington Wizards led by Deandre Ayton's 20 points and 16 rebounds. Chris Paul added 14 points and nine assists, while Devin Booker was quiet with only 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Jimmy Butler dropped 27 points shooting 10-of-13 while Bam Adebayo added 20 points and 12 rebounds as the Miami Heat won 104-86 over the Charlotte Hornets.

Ja Morant scored 33 points in three quarters as the Memphis Grizzlies claimed their fifth win in six games, routing the Orlando Magic 135-115.

 

Blazers skid extended by Bucks

The Portland Trail Blazers slumped to their fifth straight defeat, leaving them with a 21-33 record as Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 29 points with nine rebounds and six assists in the Milwaukee Bucks' 137-108 win. Bobby Portis also scored 30 points for the Bucks.

Related items

  • 'The best winger on the planet' – Guardiola lauds defender Gvardiol after Fulham rout 'The best winger on the planet' – Guardiola lauds defender Gvardiol after Fulham rout

    Pep Guardiola joked Manchester City have signed "the best winger on the planet" after defender Josko Gvardiol scored twice in Saturday's 4-0 thrashing of Fulham.

    Centre-back Gvardiol once again operated at full-back on the left of City's four-man defence, finding the net in either half at Craven Cottage as Guardiola's side moved back to the Premier League summit.

    His first came from a dancing run inside from Kevin De Bruyne's dinked pass before curling a well-taken right-footed finish into the bottom-left corner.

    That passage of play may have been expected from City's attacking riches of Phil Foden, Erling Haaland or Bernardo Silva, though Gvardiol is becoming accustomed to starring at the other end of the pitch.

    The Croatia international has netted five goals in his last seven games for City after not scoring in his first 32 matches across all competitions – but Guardiola is not surprised.

    "The first goal, we signed the best winger on the planet," Guardiola jested with BBC Radio Manchester. "He's an incredible guy, can play in different positions.

    "After Wolves I gave [the players] three days off, he was the only one who went to the training centre for his recovery.

    "He lives for his profession. We have made an incredible signing for many, many years to come."

    Foden also scored his 25th goal of the season for City, becoming just the second English player to score 25+ in a season for the club in the Premier League era (across all competitions), after Raheem Sterling in 2018-19 (25) and 2019-20 (31).

    Julian Alvarez then wrapped up proceedings with a last-gasp penalty, taking the spot-kick from Gvardiol, who passed up the chance to score a hat-trick out of respect for his team-mate.

    That domination ensured City will end the day in first place for just the eighth time in 2024 – overall, this will be the 72nd day they have ended in top spot this season, behind Liverpool (87) and Arsenal (74).

    Guardiola's side are two points clear of Arsenal, who play Manchester United on Sunday, and still have a game in hand to come when visiting Tottenham on Tuesday.

    The City manager told his post-match press conference: "Our dream is as we said a few weeks ago when [Arsenal] lost against Aston Villa was to arrive in the last games with it in our hands.

    "We wanted to play West Ham at home with the destiny belonging to us."

    Destiny remains in City's hands as they search for a sixth Premier League title in the last seven seasons.

  • Kompany looking to start next season's preparations immediately following Burnley's relegation Kompany looking to start next season's preparations immediately following Burnley's relegation

    Vincent Kompany is looking to start Burnley's preparations for next season as soon as possible after their relegation was confirmed with defeat away at Tottenham.

    Burnley knew they had to win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday to keep any hopes of staying up alive, and Jacob Bruun Larsen's first-half strike put the Clarets ahead in north London.

    However, Pedro Porro equalised for the hosts, before Micky van de Ven slotted home in the 82nd minute to condemn Kompany's men to the second tier after just one season back in the top-flight.

    Burnley's last campaign in the Championship ended in immediate promotion, in impressive fashion too as they romped to the title.

    Kompany is hoping for more of the same next term, telling BBC Sport: "Today the Premier League is over, but tomorrow we start day one of doing everything we can to get back to the Premier League.

    "I'm very lucky to be surrounded by good people, hard-working players, staff and fans who have backed the club for generations. That's who we try to do it for every weekend.

    "The game has gone a bit like others have gone for us this season. We created chances but the one where we missed the final pass.

    "I'm not here sulking and feeling sorry for us, but if you take every game, every season as a learning experience, this is a step we need to get into our game."

    Spurs had previously lost four on the bounce, and it appeared they would slip up further as Saturday's contest went on until Van de Ven's crucial late goal ensured the three points, moving them four points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with two games remaining.

    Ange Postecoglou's men accumulated an xG (expected goals) of 2.5 to Burnley's 0.75, and the Spurs boss felt his side should have cruised to a much more routine win than it ultimately proved to be.

    "We were dominant enough," Postecoglou told BBC Sport. "Their keeper was outstanding today and we had enough chances.

    "It's always difficult when you lose four matches in a row and it is only natural there will be a bit of anxiety and a bit of stress there.

    "For the most part I think we handled the game well, and we finished the game strong. It should have been a more comfortable victory, but the most important thing is we won the game."

    Van de Ven's cool finish was his third goal of the season, and the 23-year-old's performances at centre-back since joining from Wolfsburg prior to the campaign have earned plaudits.

    Postecoglou is delighted with the defender's maiden Premier League campaign, saying: "He's not a bad player, is he? He's outstanding and that's the exciting thing for me - it is his first year in Premier League football.

    "I can't think of too many players who have made such an impact in their first year of Premier League football, and knowing he only really had one year in the Bundesliga. It's not like he's a seasoned professional.

    "He has had a few injury problems, but when he's played he has been outstanding."

  • Tottenham 2-1 Burnley: Clarets down as Van de Ven boosts Spurs' top-four hopes Tottenham 2-1 Burnley: Clarets down as Van de Ven boosts Spurs' top-four hopes

    Burnley's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as a late Micky van de Ven winner clinched a 2-1 home win for Tottenham on Saturday.

    Vincent Kompany's men had to win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to keep their survival hopes alive, and it looked possible when Jacob Bruun Larsen fired the Clarets ahead in the first half.

    However, Pedro Porro struck to level, before Van de Ven rifled home with eight minutes to play to condemn Burnley to the second tier and boost Spurs' Champions League hopes.

    It's a result that ends Spurs' run of four straight defeats and leaves them four points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa with two games to play.

    Burnley nearly got their noses in front after just five minutes, though Guglielmo Vicario was equal to Vitinho's header, while Brennan Johnson saw an effort well-saved by Arijanet Muric up the other end in a frenzied start.

    The Clarets took the lead with 25 minutes played, persistent work from Sander Berge allowing Bruun Larsen to latch onto the Norway international's throughball before slotting past Vicario.

    Burnley's lead didn't last long, though, Porro driving into the box before unleashing a powerful finish into the back of the net.

    Wilson Odobert nearly restored his side's advantage after the break as his thunderous effort was tipped over by Vicario as Burnley looked for a lifeline.

    Muric kept out James Maddison at the other end with a brilliant stop, before also denying Kulusevski with Spurs looking to turn up the heat.

    The hosts did find a winner late on, Van de Ven taking the ball into the penalty area before coolly slotting home to send Burnley down and keep his side's slender top-four chances alive.

    Burnley down despite late surge

    A run of just one Premier League defeat in nine games across March and April had given Burnley some slender hopes of survival, but they were simply left with too much to do as defeat at Spurs ensured they would be playing second-tier football next season.

    After romping to the Championship title last term, some had lofty pre-season hopes for Burnley, but the Clarets have won just five league games all season, not enough to keep them in the division.

    Burnley's relegation is their fifth from the Premier League, and Kompany has work to do if they are to bounce back in similar one-season fashion as they did so impressively last term.

    Van de Ven secures much-needed three points

    Villa are floundering, winless in four in all competitions and losing three of those outings. However, Spurs had previously been unable to put any kind of pressure on Unai Emery's men as they endured a run of four straight defeats at an inopportune junction in the season.

    It appeared Spurs would stumble further with a home draw against a bottom-three side, but Van de Ven's crucial late winner has somewhat turned the heat up on Villa ahead of their games against Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

    Ange Postecoglou's men accumulated 2.5 xG (expected goals) to Burnley's 0.75, and Van de Ven's strike means Spurs have now won eight of their nine Premier League home meetings with Burnley. The result also ensures Postecoglou avoids becoming the first Spurs manager to lose five top-flight outings in a row since Osvaldo Ardiles in 1994 (seven).

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.