The doubt had long since vanished, replaced by a toughness, energy, and determination usually saved for the postseason.

The Lakers were given new life by the NBA in-season tournament, which made them quicken their pace to rise to the occasion.

Although the prize money—$500,000 for each member of the winning team—might have served as motivation in the beginning, the level of competition naturally raised the stakes by Saturday’s finals.

Put away gimmicks. Put aside the colorful courts, point-differential tiebreakers, and cash for prizes. The NBA had everything they could have asked for.

In his 21st season, LeBron James embraced the creation and dominated games much like he had in his first fifteen years of playing. And Anthony Davis, a player who has come under fire for lacking toughness and fire, dominated with a fierce drive.

He stomped toward fans in the front row of the T-Mobile Center in Las Vegas, screamed to the ceiling, and flexed. It wouldn’t be long until the celebration began.

The best player on the court, Davis finished with 41 points and 20 rebounds as the Lakers defeated Indiana 123-109 to win the first-ever NBA Cup and secure the $500,000 award for each player.

In a game when the Lakers defense suffocated the league’s top offense while feasting on one of the weakest interior defenses, James, the tournament MVP, added 24 points, and Austin Reaves scored 28.

With only four shots made outside of the lane, the Lakers scored 86 points in the paint.

Halfway through the third quarter, Davis started to limp, and coach Darvin Ham pulled him out. After receiving treatment on the sidelines, he was able to play again, but he had a noticeable limp. After the injury healed later in the fourth, Davis pouted when Cam Reddish sunk a basket that he had blocked.

There were other Laker than him who was enduring the agony.

Reaves was quite uncomfortable in the Lakers’ locker room before to the game after spending the majority of the previous two days in bed with chills, congestion, and bodily aches.

He spoke about how miserable he was feeling while he carefully consumed his first meal of the day, chicken and plain white rice.

He appeared pallid. He then left to play outside.

Reaves saved energy between each possession to achieve his highest half-time total of 22 points in the first half of the game.

On Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Las Vegas, during a semifinal match of the NBA basketball In-Season Tournament, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23), of the Los Angeles Lakers, shoots the ball against Zion Williamson (1) of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Pool/Kyle Terada via AP)

As the Lakers compete in an in-season tournament close to the UNLV mass shooting, LeBron James criticizes gun laws.

Indiana never gave up even though they were behind by double digits throughout a portion of the third quarter. Crunch time would tighten after a fast surge sparked by a buzzer-beating three.

The Lakers’ defense once again tightened up after Reddish’s huge three-pointer in the fourth quarter ignited a 13-0 run that sealed the victory.

The Lakers rejoiced in the center of the floor as the horn blew and “I Love LA” flooded the arena.