Lakers, Rockets Get Into Fight as Lakers Lose in LeBron James' Home Debut
The Lakers may be 0-2, but they showed some fight--literally.
By Shahan Ahmed ••
A fight erupted in the fourth quarter of LeBron James' home debut with the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Saturday, as Chris Paul, Brandon Ingram and Rajon Rondo were all ejected in a feisty contest that ultimately saw the Lakers fall 124-115 to the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers may be 0-2, but they showed some fight--literally.
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The fight erupted after Ingram shoved James Harden, with Paul and Rondo getting into a heated discussion that boiled over into punches being thrown by Paul and Rondo. Ingram, who had already received a technical foul, decided to run into the scrum and deliver a punch of his own to guarantee his ejection.
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The Rockets led 109-108 when the fight broke out, with a shade over four minutes remaining in the game. The ensuing two technical free throws gave the Rockets a crucial three-point advantage, and Houston relied on Harden to outscore the Lakers 15-7 following the fight.
The night, though, started far more positive, with celebrities packing the stands and a crowd charged up during introductions. James and company faced the Houston Rockets' two-headed monster of James Harden and Paul, with James making his highly anticipated regular season home debut dressed in LA's iconic gold jersey.
James scored the Lakers' first two points of the game, but the Lakers had already dug a seven-point hole before the 33-year-old netted his first official basket at Staples Center for the home team.
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Josh Hart of the Los Angeles Lakers at practice in El Segundo ahead of the NBA season opener on Oct. 15, 2018 (Shahan Ahmed/KNBC)
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LeBron James walks off the Los Angeles Lakers' practice court on Oct. 15, 2018 (Shahan Ahmed/KNBC)
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Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers practices on Oct. 15, 2018 in El Segundo, California.
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Brandon Ingram at Los Angeles Lakers practice on Oct. 15, 2018 at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. (Shahan Ahmed/KNBC)
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LeBron James #23 and Lance Stephenson #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate after James made a shot against the Golden State Warriors and was fouled during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 123-113. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers brings the ball up the court against the Golden State Warriors during their preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on October 10, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 123-113. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers defends against Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the LA Clippers defends against Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half of a NBA preseason game at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass during the second half of a NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Honda Center on October 6, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers is congratulated by his teammate Brandon Ingram #14 and Josh Hart #3 after scoring a basket and getting fouled against Sacramento Kings during the first half at Staples Center on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Head coach Luke Walton of the Los Angeles talks with LeBron James #23 during a pre-season basketball game against Sacramento Kingsat Staples Center on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates his dunk in front of Brandon Ingram #14 during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on October 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as he inbounds the ball during a preseason against the Denver Nuggets game at Staples Center on October 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers high fives Rajon Rondo #9 during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center on October 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles waits during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Valley View Casino Center on September 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks to pass in front of Will Barton #5 and Mason Plumlee #24 of the Denver Nuggets during a preseason game at Valley View Casino Center on September 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LeBron James #23, Rajon Rondo #9, JaVale McGee #7 and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers talk after a stop in play during a preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at Valley View Casino Center on September 30, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LeBron James will play on Sunday in the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason opener, according to Lakers coach Luke Walton at Lakers' practice on Sept. 27, 2018. Sunday in San Diego will be the first time James wears a Lakers' uniform in a game. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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LeBron James is all business at Los Angeles Lakers' training camp on Sept. 29, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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(Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Lonzo Ball laughs while working on shooting drills at Los Angeles Lakers' training camp on Sept. 29, 2018 in El Segundo, California.
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Lonzo Ball and LeBron James at Los Angeles Lakers' training camp on Sept. 29, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Lonzo Ball and Sviatoslav Mykhaiiuk take part in shooting drills at Los Angeles Lakers' training camp on Sept. 29, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Close up shot of LeBron James speaking to media following Lakers' practice in El Segundo. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Kyle Kuzma works alongside LeBron James after Los Angeles Lakers practice during training camp in El Segundo on Sept. 27, 2018. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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LeBron James is mostly serious when questioned by media following the training session in El Segundo, Ca on Sept. 27, 2018. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Lonzo Ball speaks to reporters after completing his first full contact practice on Sept. 27, 2018. Ball's involvement for Sunday's preseason opener was in doubt. (Shahan Ahmed)
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But Lonzo didn't seem to be too upset about potentially missing a preseason game. (Shahan Ahmed)
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LeBron James continued to take a business-like approach to speaking with reporters during Los Angeles Lakers' 2018 training camp at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California on Sept. 27, 2018 (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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LeBron James wears the no. 6 at practice, which could be confused for the no. 9 in this photo. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Speaking of no. 9, Rajon Rondo and teammates Lonzo Ball and Svi Mykhailiuk practice at the Los Angeles Lakers' 2018 training camp at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California on Sept. 27, 2018 (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Kyle Kuzma got shots up with LeBron James after practice and drew praise from the Los Angeles Lakers' newest franchise superstar at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California on Sept. 27, 2018 (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Practice is no joke for LeBron James. (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Svi Mykhailiuk, who is advertised as rookie with shooting ability, takes part in a shooting drill during Los Angeles Lakers' 2018 training camp at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California on Sept. 27, 2018 (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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Even center JaVale McGee takes pride in shooting three-pointers after practice during the Los Angeles Lakers' 2018 training camp at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California on Sept. 27, 2018 (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts as he speaks to the media during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 24, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Luke Walton, laughs with the press during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 24, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Rajon Rondo of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to the press during the Los Angeles Lakers Media Day at the UCLA Health Training Center on September 24, 2018 in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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Lakers president Earvin "Magic" Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka speak about the 2018-19 Los Angeles Lakers season on Sept. 20, 2018 in El Segundo, California (Shahan Ahmed/NBCLA)
The first quarter laid the groundwork for Harden's big night, with the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player tabbing nine points in the opening 12 minutes before pouring in 14 points in the second quarter for a halftime total of 23 points. The Southern California native ended the night with 36 points to lead the pack.
Thanks in part to contributions from Ingram, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma, Rondo and, of course, James, the Lakers nullified the eye-popping output provided by Paul and Harden early. Paul went into the break with 19 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Still, the Rockets never truly pulled away, and the two teams were tied eight times, with 14 lead changes in the first 24 minutes. The Rockets held a four-point edge at the break.
James led the Lakers in scoring at the intermission with 11 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Rondo added nine points, four assists and three rebounds before the break.
LeBron James spoke with reporters after Los Angeles Lakers' morning shootaround ahead of his highly anticipated regular season debut at Staples Center on Oct. 20, 2018. (Shahan Ahmed)
The third quarter continued the back-and-forth seesaw of the first half, with six lead changes in the penultimate quarter. Paul took the scoring lead from Harden momentarily, and the former LA Clippers' point guard scored nine points in the period to lead all scorers with 28 points and eight assists with 12 minutes remaining in the contest.
The Lakers, meanwhile, spread the scoring out and had six different players scoring in double figures before the end of the third quarter--led by James' 18 points at that stage.
For the second game in a row, an unlikely opponent off the bench caused damage to LA's hopes of getting its first victory of the 2018-19 season. While Nik Stauskas had killed the Lakers off the Blazers' bench of Thursday, Gerald Green assumed that role for the Rockets.
After three quarters, Green was 5-5 from the field for 13 points in 15 minutes off the Rockets' bench.
The fourth quarter featured the Rockets building a six-point lead almost immediately, but a flagrant foul on James Ennis III for wrapping his arm around Hart's neck helped the Lakers cut the Rockers' momentum on the scoreboard.
Lakers coach Luke Walton pointed to that Flagrant 1 foul as possibly leading to the fight minutes later. Hart, after the game, said he thought that Ennis should have been ejected, and Walton said the same.
At the five-minute mark, though, the Rockets only led by a single point, but then a basketball game turned into a fight. Paul was ejected from the game with 28 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Ingram hit the showers with 12 points, four rebounds and two assists in 29 minutes, while Rondo left the floor with 13 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.
Down the stretch, however, Harden managed to put the ball in the bucket and claim victory for the visitors. The MVP finished with 36 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the victory, while James ended his Lakers' home debut with 24 points on 9-22 shooting from the field, five assists and five rebounds.
Notes: Ball finished the night shooting 4-8 from three-point land and 14 points to lead all bench scorers on both teams. With suspensions to Rondo and Ingram likely, Ball should slot into the starting lineup.
