CLEVELAND — LeBron James made an emotional return to Cleveland then battled through what was likely his worst game ever as a Cavaliers opponent.
Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points, Jaylon Tyson had 20 and the Cleveland Cavaliers used a big third quarter to beat the Lakers 129-99 and spoil James’ return to Northeast Ohio.
More than two decades after the Cavaliers drafted him first overall in 2003, James returned to his hometown and scored only 11 points, the first time in 13 trips to Cleveland as an opposing player that he has not had at least 20. The 41-year old Akron native shot 3 for 10 from the field, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range, and was 5 for 6 from the free-throw line in 27 minutes.
It also was James’ worst loss in Cleveland as a visiting player. He is 10-3, but has been on the losing end in his last two.
James teared up during a timeout with 7:46 remaining in the first quarter when the Cavaliers showed video highlights of him scoring 25 straight points during Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference finals against the Detroit Pistons. The montage finished with the message “Welcome Home.”
James, who spent 11 seasons over two stints with his hometown team, taking the franchise to all five of its NBA Finals appearances, lifted his jersey to his face and wiped his eyes. Speaking after the game, he said he doesn’t know if Wednesday night will end up being his last trip to Cleveland as a player.
“It definitely got to me a little bit, for sure. I think it comes from being present. It wasn’t the highlights. It was just being present. I’m trying to live in the moment because I don’t know if it’s my last time here,” James said. “Every road arena I’ve been in, I’m just trying to take every moment in because it very well could be the last time. And obviously, it means a little bit more to me personally because I grew up 35 minutes south of here.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick said there is no question returns to Cleveland always stir something extra in the future Hall of Famer.
“It’s an emotional game in general. During the tribute video you could see being back here is important to him. There’s a human element to all this,” Redick said.
Luka Doncic shook off an early injury scare and led the Lakers (28-17) with 29 points, but that wasn’t nearly enough to help them overcome a poor third quarter as they fell to 3-2 on their eight-game Grammy road trip.
Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer, missed six minutes in the first quarter after limping off the court and having his left ankle looked at in the locker room. Doncic tweaked his ankle when he landed awkwardly near the Lakers’ bench on a 3-point shot.
Cleveland led 57-55 at halftime, but took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers by 20 (42-22). It was the 12th time this season that the Cavaliers scored at least 40 points in a period.
The score was tied at 57-all when the Cavaliers went on a 25-8 run that included eight points from Mitchell and seven from Tyson.
Cleveland shot just 6 for 22 from 3-point range in the first half, but went 7 for 11 in the third. The Cavs shot 17 for 25 from the field in the period.
The only highlight for James in the second half was seeing his son, Bronny James, play the final eight minutes. The younger James, who scored his first NBA basket at Cleveland last season, had eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, receiving loud cheers as soon as he entered the game.
“It was a pretty cool moment for him and for our family. And my mom is here watching her son and her grandson,” LeBron James said. “It’s so cool and surreal that my mom gets to watch her son and her grandson play in the NBA.”
The Lakers trailed 118-84 at one point late in the fourth quarter.
Well into a record-breaking 23rd season, James has reiterated he doesn’t know what the future holds, but he hopes for at least one more trip to Cleveland.
“I have not even thought about a farewell tour. I think that will come after (the season),” he said. “Eight years ago, when I left to go to L.A. (as a free agent), if you asked me if I’d still be playing in ’26, I’d have said no.
“I’m still playing this game at a high level and I still love the process. It’s about how much juice I can squeeze out of this orange. I’m in a battle with Father Time and I’m kind of taking it personal.”
De’Andre Hunter scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and Jarrett Allen had 17 points and nine rebounds for Cleveland, which has won five in a row and is 12-4 since Dec. 29. Dean Wade added 11 points and Thomas Bryant scored 10.
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