Lakers edge Knicks in overtime as LeBron returns

MANILA, Philippines — The Los Angeles Lakers sweetened LeBron James' return from injury with a 122-115 overtime win over the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time).

James, who missed out on the Lakers' last five games, finished with a triple-double of 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists in his first game back.

Trevor Ariza nailed the dagger three-pointer to put the Lakers up seven, 120-113, with 1:12 left in overtime to give them enough space for the win.

The Lakers clawed back from 21 points down with a huge 31-13 third salvo to return to the win column.

LA actually had a chance to win in regulation with a nine point lead, 108-99 with 2:22 ticks left.

But a 12-3 run by the Knicks, punctuated by an RJ Barrett triple with eight seconds remaining, forced the game to extra period.

Malik Monk and Anthony Davis joined James as the Lakers' go-to scorers with 29 and 28 points, respectively.

Davis also grabbed 17 boards, three assists, three steals, and four blocks.

The Lakers thus improved to 26-28.

Elsewhere, the Phoenix Suns return to the win column with a 95-80 victory over the Washington Wizards, 95-80.

It was only a competitive game in the first moments of the opening quarter before the Suns took a twin-digit lead at the end of the first 12 minutes, 33-21.

Things blew open for the Suns when they outscored the Suns, 26-11, in the second salvo.

It was cruising time for Phoenix after that as they led by as much as 36 points in the lopsided affair.

Five different Suns finished in twin-digit scoring led by DeAndre Ayton's double-double of 20 points and 16 boards.

In the other games, the Memphis Grizzlies leaned on Ja Morant's 33-point outburst to blowout the Orlando Magic, 135-115.

The Miami Heat, for their part, beat the Charlotte Hornets, 104-86.

Jimmy Butler scored 27 markers to pace the Heat to the victory.

The Sacramento Kings and the Milwaukee Bucks also tallied wins against the OKC Thunder and the Portland Trailblazers, respectively.