Lakers Escape with Narrow 105-104 Victory Over Jazz After Controversial Timeout
The Los Angeles Lakers managed to secure a dramatic 105-104 win over the Utah Jazz on December 1, 2024, in a game full of twists and turns, with a controversial late-game decision adding to the heartbreak for Utah fans. The game came down to the final seconds, when Jazz guard Collin Sexton believed he had won the game with a last-second layup. However, Utah head coach Will Hardy’s decision to call a timeout just before Sexton’s drive nullified the potential game-winning basket.
As the clock wound down to just a few seconds, Sexton made his move to the basket, scooping a layup off the glass with a burst of energy. As he went to celebrate, the whistle blew. Hardy, sensing that Sexton might have been in a difficult position, had called the timeout just before Sexton’s shot. The timeout ultimately gave the Lakers a chance to regroup, leaving Utah with limited options. In the subsequent play, Sexton fumbled the ball while trying to get off a shot, and his opportunity was lost, giving the Lakers the narrow win.
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Hardy later reflected on his decision, acknowledging that while he felt Sexton was trapped, the timeout may have cost the team a win. Despite the tough loss, Hardy praised his team’s effort, especially their resilience in coming back from a nine-point deficit with just over five minutes remaining. "The guys fought hard enough to win," Hardy said. "We’ve got to take the same competitiveness and energy into this road trip, and we will break through. I think the team is getting better."
The game saw stellar performances from the Lakers’ stars, with Anthony Davis leading the way with 33 points and 11 rebounds. LeBron James added 27 points, 14 assists, and five rebounds in the victory. The Lakers were shorthanded, missing rotation players like D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, but Gabe Vincent stepped up, contributing 10 points in his first start.
For Utah, Lauri Markkanen led the way with 22 points, while John Collins added 21 points. Walker Kessler played a pivotal role as well, with 13 points and 11 rebounds, including a crucial putback layup in the final moments that brought the Jazz within one point.
While the Lakers were able to survive a late rally by the Jazz, it was their perimeter defense and free throw shooting that ultimately played a key role in the outcome. Utah hit 12 three-pointers, compared to just five for Los Angeles, but the Lakers’ dominance in the paint and at the charity stripe (19 made free throws to Utah’s 9) helped them maintain a slim lead.
The Jazz will surely look back at the final seconds with frustration, knowing that a few small mistakes and a controversial timeout call robbed them of a potential win. For the Lakers, it was another hard-fought victory, but they will need to work on improving their perimeter defense and LeBron’s three-point shooting as the season progresses. This game, though hard-fought, highlighted the resilience of both teams, setting the stage for exciting future matchups.
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