The Los Angeles Lakers secured a historic victory as the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament champions, triumphing over the Indiana Pacers in the title match in Las Vegas on Saturday. LeBron James and Anthony Davis led the way for the Purple and Gold, showcasing their prowess in high-stakes games.

Throughout the competition, LA maintained a consistent lead, reaching as much as an 11-point advantage in the late stages of the third quarter. Despite the Pacers’ resilient efforts, a hallmark of their performance throughout the 2023-24 season, the game grew tense at the onset of the final period before the Lakers ultimately secured the win.

Tyrese Haliburton, initially slow to gain momentum in the first half with just seven points, emerged in the second half, significantly contributing to keep the Pacers in contention. A 7-2 run within the first minute and a half of the fourth quarter allowed them to trim the Lakers’ lead to just three points.

However, the combined force of LeBron James and Anthony Davis proved insurmountable. The turning point for the Lakers came when they restricted the Pacers to a mere five points in five minutes, orchestrating an impressive 17-point run.

This surge propelled them to a commanding 115-99 lead with three minutes remaining, securing their triumphant victory.