Lakers stop Sixers’ streak

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — The Los Angeles Lakers shook off the early exit of injured star Luka Doncic on Thursday, rallying without him in the second half for a 119-115 National Basketball Association (NBA) victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Austin Reaves, again coming off the bench in his second game back from a 19-game injury absence, scored 13 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter, drilling a pair of back-to-back three-pointers to give the Lakers their first lead of the game early in the final frame.

“Losing Luka, you know nothing’s going to be easy after that because he does so much for us,” said Reaves, who connected on 12 of 17 shots, including five three-pointers.

“But we bonded together.”

LeBron James scored 17 points and handed out 10 assists for Los Angeles, who halted the 76ers’ five-game winning streak.

The Lakers withstood a 35-point performance from Sixers center Joel Embiid. Tyrese Maxey added 26 points and 13 assists for Philadelphia.