NBA Cup Finals: Anthony Davis and LeBron James inspire the LA Lakers to a historic win against the Indiana Pacers

2 hours ago

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The LA Lakers were undefeated in their seven games of the regular season tournament

Anthony Davis scored 41 points to help the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Indiana Pacers in the NBA's first tournament final this season.

Davis also recorded 20 rebounds, five assists and four blocks, while teammate LeBron James contributed 24 points and 11 rebounds in a 123-109 win.

James was also named the most valuable player of the inaugural NBA Cup.

“Records are broken, but one thing that will never be broken is being the first to do something,” said James, 38.

“We are the first season tournament champions and no one can ever top that.”

“It’s great to be able to do this with such a historic franchise, and even better to be able to do it with a great cast of funny, driven and competitive men here.”

With just over six minutes left, the Pacers got within three points, only for the Lakers to snap a streak of 13 unanswered points en route to the win.

Austin Reaves scored 28 points off the bench for the Lakers, while Tyrese Haliburton and teammate Bennedict Mathurin top-scored for the Pacers with 20 points each.

The NBA Cup final took place in Las Vegas and is the only game in the tournament that does not count toward the regular season standings.

“We are sick and frustrated,” Haliburton said. “We were just outplayed from the beginning to the end of the game tonight.

“They just didn’t do it on loose balls, didn’t bounce back and didn’t get enough stops when needed. They just outplayed us and that’s frustrating.”