Bold headline: Lakers edge past the 76ers as LeBron delivers a clutch go-ahead 3. And this is the moment most fans miss: a late burst from LeBron capped a tense, back-and-forth finish that decided a 112-108 LA victory.
In Philadelphia, LeBron James knocked down a timely three with 1:12 to play and finished with 29 points, while Luka Dončić logged a triple-double with 31 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists. For the 76ers, Joel Embiid kept fighting, but his night was hampered by a chilly shooting performance, finishing 5-for-21 from the field and scoring 16 points. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 28 points, providing a late push that kept the game within reach.
Key sequence: Embiid connected on an 18-foot jumper to forge a 105-all deadlock, only for James to answer immediately with a 3-pointer, followed by a 20-foot jumper on the next possession to push the Lakers ahead 110-105. Dončić racked up his stat line but could not overcome the late rally by Los Angeles.
Dončić’s line: 31 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists, marking another all-around performance in a season where he remains a nightly triple-threat.
Embiid’s night, despite the not-so-efficient shooting, featured a strong approach at the charity stripe, going 6-for-6 from the line after a rough first half. He battled through knee issues to stay on the floor against James, with the two former gold-medal teammates trading blows as the game wore on.
Other notable notes:
- LeBron James reached double-digit scoring in the second quarter, snapping a stretch that had him at 10 points in that period, and he later contributed a decisive late stretch for the Lakers.
- Dončić missed the last two games while traveling for the birth of his daughter, and James had been sidelined by sciatica and left foot joint arthritis in prior games—this one marked a high-stakes return for both stars.
- The Lakers will host San Antonio in an NBA Cup quarterfinal on Wednesday, while the 76ers host Indiana on Friday.
Team totals:
- Lakers: 112 points on 41-of-85 shooting (48.2%), 13-of-36 from three (36.1%), 17-of-27 at the line (63.0%), 60 rebounds (8 offensive, 44 defensive), 25 assists, 3 steals, 8 blocks, 10 turnovers, 22 fouls.
- 76ers: 108 points on 36-of-102 shooting (35.3%), 13-of-36 from three (36.1%), 23-of-26 at the line (88.5%), 64 rebounds (17 offensive, 44 defensive), 21 assists, 5 steals, 4 blocks, 5 turnovers, 17 fouls, plus two technicals.
Key individual figures: 31-15-11 for Dončić and 28-7-9 for Maxey highlighted the stars, with Embiid adding 16 points despite an off night from the field.
Source: AP News recap for December 7, 2025, Lakers vs. 76ers, plus official box score excerpts and play-by-play timing.
Would you like a version focused more on strategic analysis, such as how LA balanced pick-and-rolls with Dončić and LeBron, or a fan-friendly recap that emphasizes momentum shifts and turning points?
