About Last Night

About Last Night: LeBron's really a Laker

Khari Arnold, NBA.com

October 19, 2018 6:59 AM

Six teams took the court on Thursday in search of their first win, with the Sixers, Heat and Blazers each earning victory No. 1.

The Bulls-Sixers game featured stellar performances from Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, the Heat-Wizards contest came down to a last-second game-winner from Kelly Olynyk and the Blazers beat the Lakers for the 16th consecutive time.

But the biggest story of the night was LeBron James making his highly anticipated debut with Los Angeles, and a couple moments were captured in our new daily feature, About Last Night.

LeBron, Lillard show out

What better way to feed the massive enthusiasm going into LeBron James’ Lakers debut than a first-quarter dunk contest? James’ first official points in a Lakers uniform came on a classic breakaway, tomahawk jam. The play was immediately followed by a thunderous Damian Lillard dunk on the other end, which James answered by hammering home his second emphatic slam.

‘LABron’ leading already

After Kyle Kuzma hit the deck and got up on his own, LeBron gathered his teammates together for a message, one that preached brotherhood: “Anytime y’all fall, stay down. Your brother’ll come pick you up.”

"Anytime y'all fall, stay down. Your brother'll come pick you up." – @KingJames pic.twitter.com/E46MXQwDk4

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 19, 2018

Two minutes later, Josh Hart fell after a foul and waited patiently on his 6-foot-9 brother Brandon Ingram.

A first for Fultz

Despite being the No. 1 Draft pick a year go, Markelle Fultz being in the starting lineup has left pundits scratching their heads throughout the Sixers’ first two games. The 20-year-old still hasn’t shot the ball well and often passed up open looks during Thursday’s game against Chicago.

None of that mattered when Fultz hit the first 3-pointer of his career in the fourth quarter, causing Philly fans to chant “Fultz” the way they did “Foles” during the Eagles’ championship run.

Portis or Parker?

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg made the decision to start Bobby Portis over the newly acquired Jabari Parker. Portis dropped 13 points in the first quarter on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting, ending the night with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Parker scored 15.

Despite the Bulls’ loss, the fiery start by Portis left Hoiberg no reason to switch his lineup, which means we should see more of this at the scorers table…

Jabari Parker was trying out a Halloween costume on the bench apparently 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/LbcdlH4vd9

— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 19, 2018

Return of Wall spikes

Remember those left-handed hammers John Wall would throw down after driving in from the wing? If not, here’s a refresher.

The patented move is back. The word to not jump is out.

Paul Allen tribute

The NBA lost a beloved member of its family when Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen passed away on Monday. The organization honored him ahead of their season opener.

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