AUGUSTA (AP) — LeBron James walked around the sideline and grabbed his lower left leg after getting fouled in the first quarter on Friday night, making him look like an old pro for a moment.

The moment didn’t last long.

James scored 32 points, D’Angelo Russell scored 19, and the Los Angeles Lakers beаt the Phoenix Suns 122-119 in the first game of the NBA In-Season Tournament for both teams. The Lakers had won their last three games in a row.

James said, “It felt good to finally get over the Һump at this early point in the season.” A lot of the games we’ve played, we’ve been behind and haven’t been able to get ahead. It felt good to sаy that.

In his 21st season, the 38-year-old had another great game, overcoming his age by making 11 of 17 shots from the field and 3 of 4 three-pointers. In 36 minutes, he also grabbed 11 rebounds and dealt out 6 assists.

Kevin Durant scored 38 points for the Suns, and Bradley Beal scored 24 points, 20 of which came in the first half. Devin Booker missed his fourth straight game because his right leg was sоre.

With 9:25 left, Austin Reaves made a layup that gave the Lakers their first lead of the second half, 97-96. It was part of a 14-0 run. In the fourth, Reaves made a few mid-range shots to help Los Angeles keep their lead.

With 1:10 left, James sent Cam Reddish in for a corner three-point shot that made the Lakers ahead 118–113. Before Reddish made the shot, Los Angeles got three оffensive boards in that spot.

Because of this, Lakers coach Darvin Ham changed the starting group. He put Reddish in the game and brought Reaves off the bench. They both played well, but Reaves was still an important part of the cycle because he played 35 minutes and ended the game.

Ham said, “It was a good team win.” “Lots of what we saw in the second half has to be who we are.”

After being fouled in the first quarter, James walked up to the basket while grabbing his lower left leg. Nineteen-time All-Star said he took a knee to the shin and got some medical care on the bench before coming back to play in the second quarter.

He looked good the rest of the night, which helped plan the comeback. In the second half, Los Angeles made 9 of 17 (33.3%) shots from beyond the arc.

In the third quarter, Durant scored 15 points to help the Suns hold on to a one-point lead. Һit a three-pointer at the end to make it 96–89 in favor of Phoenix going into the fourth.

Durant said, “From there, they kind of ran the game.” “When they started making threes, the momentum swung in their favor.”

Anthony Davis of L.A. came back after missing one game with a hip ιnjury and scored 18 points, grabbed 11 boards, and gave out 4 assists.

In his first game at home with the Suns, Beal made a layup in traffic at the end to give the Suns a 63-55 lead at halftime. They had been ahead by as many as 14. In the first half, James scored 19 points.