Lakers’ LeBron James on Mindset During Comeback vs. Clippers: ‘Like a Superpower’

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LeBron James added another iconic performance to his storied resume Wednesday night by scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter to help the Los Angeles Lakers erase a 21-point deficit in a 116-112 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Speaking to reporters after the game, James explained his fourth-quarter performance was “like a superpower” where every shot you put up is going to go in and “you don’t feel anything” in those moments.

The Lakers looked like they were well on their way to a third loss in the last four games. Mason Plumlee’s layup after a D’Angelo Russell turnover to start the fourth quarter gave the Clippers a 98-77 lead.

With Kawhi Leonard on the bench for the first three minutes of the final period, the Lakers were able to get the deficit down to nine before he came back in the game.

After Leonard returned to the floor with 8:47 remaining, the Lakers closed the game on a 25-12 run.

James went 7-of-12 from the field and made five of eight three-point attempts in the fourth quarter. He shot 7-of-12 from behind the arc for the entire game. This was his first time with at least seven threes since the regular-season finale last year against the Utah Jazz (eight).

The Clippers were outscored by James 19-16 in the final frame. Leonard did his part by going 3-of-4, but the rest of his teammates combined to shoot 4-of-13 from the field. He was the only Clippers player to make more than one field-goal attempt.

James’ assist on Rui Hachimura’s three with 3:10 remaining gave the Lakers a 109-106 lead. It was the first time they were ahead since going up 4-2 early in the first quarter.

The 20-time All-Star finished the game with 34 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two blocks in 37 minutes.

It was a much-needed win for the Lakers coming off a disappointing loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. They maintained their 0.5-game lead over the Golden State Warriors for the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference standings with the victory.

After playing the second night of a back-to-back on Thursday against the Washington Wizards, the next seven games for the Lakers are against the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings (twice), Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Warriors.