Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after shooting a 3-pointer during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife, Kelly Stafford, are at left. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors misses a layup during the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on March 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Opening tip off between LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half at Crypto.com Arena on March 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Stanley Johnson (14) go up for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends against Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk (11) fouls Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) drives against Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after a foul call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high-fives guard Jordan Poole (3) after a 3-pointer during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) and Los Angeles Lakers forward Stanley Johnson (14) go up for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk (11) fouls Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (32) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) defends against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony (7) high-fives forward LeBron James (6) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) drives against Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LOS ANGELES — You knew he could score, but did you know LeBron James can perform CPR? Because he breathed life into the Lakers in a big way Saturday with a 56-point eruption, the 13th 50-point game of his career and second as a Laker.
His onslaught including a 3-point barrage in the fourth quarter that pushed the Lakers into the lead en route to a much-needed 124-116 victory over the Warriors, which snapped a four-game skid and gave the Lakers their fourth victory in their past 15 games.
The 37-year-old in his 19th NBA season punctuated his onslaught by soaring for an alley-oop slam that grew the Lakers’ buffer to 119-112 with 2:08 to play at Crypto.com Arena.
Starting at center for all intents and purposes in the starting lineup beside Westbrook, Austin Reaves, Stanley Johnson, Malik Monk, James took on center stage and put on a show.
Having scored 25 or more points in 26 of his past 27 games, James went for much more in front of the L.A. Rams’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback Matthew Stafford and a Saturday night ESPN audience.
His tally was the most since he had 57 on Nov. 3, 2017, when he led Cleveland to a win over Washington. Facing Cleveland’s former NBA Finals nemesis Saturday, James became the seventh Laker to notch multiple 50-point games, following 51-point outing in a win against Miami on Nov. 18, 2018.
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His three consecutive 3-pointers in 1:16 in the fourth quarter gave the Lakers a 100-97 lead, after which the teams traded punches.
Austin Reaves raced in for a rebound off of Russell Westbrook’s miss and the ball found its way to Carmelo Anthony for a 3-pointer that put the Lakers up 122-116 with 33.5 seconds to play.
Fittingly, James closed out the scoring with a pair of free throws – his 11th and 12th of the night (on 13 attempts.) James went 19 for 31 from the field, 6 for 11 from 3-point range and added 10 rebounds for good measure.
Russell Westbrook scored 20 points, Anthony finished with 14 and Monk (12) and Reaves (10) also finished in double figures.
The Warriors were led by Steph Curry, who had 30 on 13-for-22 shooting.
