LeBron James was left for dead by Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero as the LA Lakers slumped to their third defeat of the new NBA season on Saturday night.
The Lakers were beaten 120-101 by the Magic, with German star Franz Wagner on hand with 26 points for the hosts in Florida.
It was a night to forget for NBA icon LeBron, who was caught flat-flooted by Banchero early in the third quarter at Amway Center.
The 20-year-old produced a slick crossover before gliding past LeBron and hitting the lay up to extend the Magic’s lead on the night.
Fans were left in awe at Banchero, who scored 25 points in the game, after he pulled away from the Lakers legend with such ease, with one writing on X: ‘Banchero the real deal’.
LeBron James was left for dead by Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero as the LA Lakers slumped to their third defeat of the new NBA season
Banchero produced a slick crossover before gliding past LeBron and hitting the lay up
Fans were left in awe at the 20-year-old, who scored 25 points in the game, after he pulled away from the Lakers legend with such ease
Another simply put: ‘Cooked’.
A third asked: ‘Paolo did just that to the [GOAT]?’
While one joked: ‘C’mon mane, dude’s 38 years old…take it easy on him’.
Despite losing Banchero in the clip which has gone viral online, LeBron still registered 24 points for the Lakers in Florida.
Anthony Davis was the team’s highest scorer on the night after bringing in 28, a return which also moved him up on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Davis, who entered the game with 15,971 career points at 119th in the all-time standings, has now moved ahead of Kiki Vandeweghe (15,980) and Amar’e Stoudemire (15,994) for 117th.
Rookie Anthony Black got his first start for the Magic. Goga Bitadze started at center for Orlando and finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks.
Coming five days after the Lakers’ 106-103 win over the Magic in Los Angeles, the victory broke Orlando’s seven-game losing streak against the Lakers.
Both teams are battling injuries. Orlando played without guards Markelle Fultz (knee) and Gary Harris (groin) and center Wendell Carter Jr. (finger).
