Kobe Bryant’s final game in Cleveland was reduced to a sideshow when Cavaliers forward Kevin Love reinjured his surgically repaired left shoulder in the first half of a 120-111 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night.
Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 35 points and LeBron James 29 for the Cavs, who head into the All-Star break with one of their “Big 3” injured.
Love quickly left the floor late in the second quarter after he got hurt while working in the post against Bryant. He did not return in the second half, and the Cavs did not provide any specifics about his injury.
Photo: AFP
Bryant finished with 17 points in his last performance in Cleveland. Lou Williams scored 28 to lead the Lakers, who have dropped 13 of 15.
WARRIORS 112, SUNS 104
In Phoenix, Arizona, Stephen Curry nearly had a triple-double before sitting out the fourth quarter, as Golden State stormed into the All-Star break on an 11-game winning streak with a victory over free-falling Phoenix.
Curry had 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists for the defending NBA champions. At 48-4, the Warriors have the best record through 52 games in NBA history, one win better than the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls and the 1966-1967 Philadelphia 76ers. Those Bulls finished the season with a league-record 72 wins.
Klay Thompson added 24 points for Golden State.
Archie Goodwin scored 20 and Markieff Morris 19 for the Suns, who have lost nine straight and 24 of 26.
Rookie guard Devin Booker added 15 points and a career-best 10 assists.
TRAIL BLAZERS 116, ROCKETS 103
In Portland, Oregon, Damian Lillard sparked a second-quarter outburst for Portland and finished with 31 points and nine assists in a win over Houston.
In other NBA action, it was:
‧ Spurs 98, Magic 96
‧ Kings 114, 76ers 110
‧ Celtics 139, Clippers 134, OT
‧ Hawks 113, Bulls 90
‧ Timberwolves 117, Raptors 112
‧ Pelicans 100, Jazz 96
‧ Grizzlies 109, Nets 90
‧ Nuggets 103, Pistons 92
‧ Hornets 117, Pacers 95
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