DARIUS Garland rejoices All-Star call-up.
LOS ANGELES — Darius Garland capped off his All-Star selection with a stellar 26-point performance, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a dominant 137-115 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday (Friday Manila time).
The victory extended Cleveland’s lead at the top of the Eastern Conference, as the Cavs’ balanced attack overwhelmed Atlanta from start to finish.
Garland was one of seven Cavaliers to finish in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth as they recorded their 39th win of the season.
The blowout was made even sweeter for Garland, who was named to the NBA All-Star game earlier in the day, alongside teammate Evan Mobley.
The recognition was a testament to their outstanding play this season and added extra motivation to their already impressive performance.
Garland and Mobley, along with fellow All-Star Donovan Mitchell, will represent Cleveland in the annual mid-season showcase, which will take place next month in San Francisco.
Cavs’ coach Kenny Atkinson will also be part of the All-Star festivities, serving as head coach for one of the All-Star teams.
Atkinson couldn’t contain his pride after the win, reflecting on the All-Star recognition for his key players. “So proud,” Atkinson said.
“You can’t take that away from them. They’ll have it on their resumes for the rest of their lives. To have three guys on the All-Star team — that’s phenomenal. It bodes well for our future because when you have talent and character like that in the locker room, you can do special things.”
Elsewhere, LeBron James delivered a vintage performance to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a resounding 134-96 win over the Washington Wizards in the U.S. capital.
Despite missing Anthony Davis, the Lakers were unstoppable, pouring in 78 points in the first half alone, effectively putting the game out of reach by halftime.
James finished with 24 points, 11 assists, and three rebounds, including a jaw-dropping 3-pointer from near half-court. The 40-year-old was in complete control, setting the tone for the Lakers in what was a much-needed bounce-back win after their recent loss to Philadelphia.
“LeBron was awesome,” Lakers coach JJ Redick praised. “He was aggressive, trusting his teammates and creating for himself. Don’t overlook the fact that he’s 40, in year 22, and he’s still the tone-setter for us. His competitive stamina — it’s impressive.”
Rui Hachimura added 22 points, while Austin Reaves chipped in with 17. Shake Milton provided a spark off the bench with 21 points, and even LeBron’s son, Bronny James, got in on the action late in the game.