The Los Angeles Lakers survived a nail-biter against the Utah Jazz on Sunday night, and they might have Utah coach Will Hardy to thank for it.
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In a game that came down to the final possession, Hardy's ill-timed timeout erased what could have been a stunning game-winner from Collin Sexton.
With the Lakers clinging to a 105-104 lead and less than two seconds remaining, Sexton made a strong drive to the rim and finished a layup that seemed destined to steal the game. But just as Sexton's shot dropped, so did Hardy's timeout call — nullifying the bucket and forcing the Jazz to reset.
From there, the Lakers locked down defensively, swarming Sexton on the final play. His desperation jumper was blocked, sealing a much-needed win for Los Angeles after dropping three of their previous four games.
LeBron James led the way for the Lakers, scoring 37 points, including a clutch jumper with 41 seconds left to give Los Angeles a three-point cushion. Utah's Walker Kessler quickly answered with a bucket to make it a one-point game, but the Jazz's late-game execution ultimately unraveled.
Lakers announcers Bill Macdonald and Stu Lantz were as baffled as anyone by Hardy's decision to call timeout.
"Oh no, no, no, no, no basket. No basket! They called a timeout!" Macdonald exclaimed during the broadcast, his disbelief palpable.
Lantz chimed in: "Why would he call a timeout? I mean, they were in attack mode!"
The Lakers won't complain. At 11-8, they're still trying to find consistency in a crowded Western Conference. Sunday's win doesn't solve all their problems, but it keeps them above water as they push toward December.
For Utah, the frustration continues. Now 4-16 on the season and losers of four straight, the Jazz are searching for answers. Sexton's near-heroics offered a glimpse of what could be, but Hardy's mistake looms large in a season already full of missteps.
As the Lakers left the court with the victory, it was a simple case of the NBA golden rule: sometimes, it's better to be lucky than good. And on this night, the Lakers were a little bit of both.
