LeBron James fulfills sanction and guides Lakers to victory

Lebron James He returned to the court with the Los Angeles Lakers after serving his suspension game and led the 124-116 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers.

James, who had to be absent after being sanctioned for the altercation he starred in with Isaiah Stewart Last Sunday, he has only participated in nine of the Lakers’ first 20 games due to injuries, but when he’s on the floor, you can tell the difference with a Lakers who are 6-3 with their leader.

“What LeBron did tonight was a performance for history, put on a great show and took the game ball,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel.

On his return, James scored 39 points and posted five rebounds, six assists and five 3-pointers on a night when the Lakers were without Anthony Davis, who played the Knicks with a fever and received the break with the return of LeBron.

“I play this sport with so much joy and passion, I was just excited to be back and still be able to play it at this level at this point in my career,” James said after the victory at Indianapolis. “Knowing that my colleagues turn to me to guide them, I assume it with great responsibility.”

The experience, leadership and reading of the game that James brings has not gone unnoticed by some Lakers who recognize being a better team with him on the floor.

“(LeBron) really wanted the win,” Vogel noted. “He was very disappointed that he couldn’t play the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, because he looks forward to that game every year, so he came back with everything today (Wednesday).

“Having the ability to be the defensive quarterback and carry the brunt of the offense is an incredible performance, one to remember,” reiterated the coach.

With the victory, the Lakers put their mark at .500 (10-10) on the season. Their five-game road trip against Eastern Conference teams ended with two wins and they will return to Los Angeles to face the Sacramento Kings on Friday.

“Something of the most important thing in our league is to be healthy and we have not been able to be all together,” lamented James about the departure of the Los Angeles quintet. “We are still without two of our big acquisitions for this season, Kendrick nunn and Trevor arizaso we’re excited when they can be with us.

“While that happens, other players responded in a great way,” he added.

In the final stretch of the game against the Pacers, James asked officials to send off a pair of fans sitting in the front row and allegedly shouting insults at the players.

“It is one thing to boo the opponent, but there is a moment when he goes overboard with obscene gestures and rudeness,” James said when explaining what happened in the incident. “That shouldn’t be tolerated by anyone in the league.”