LeBron James' buzzer-beater misses as Lakers fall to Magic

In a topsy-turvy fourth quarter, the Lakers came up short when LeBron James missed a last-second shot that sent them to a 110-109 loss to the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

Luka Doncic had 22 points to lead the Lakers but was just eight for 24 from the field and two for 10 from three-point range. He was wide open behind the arc after taking the inbounds pass in the closing seconds, but he didn't shoot, passing to James with the clock running down.

James took a turnaround three that missed. He finished with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists.

The lead went back and forth most of the fourth quarter, each play more important than the previous one, each moment more intense, each possession more meaningful.

When Rui Hachimura drilled a three-pointer from the corner off a pass from Doncic for a 106-103 lead with 2 minutes 14 seconds left, the Lakers (34-23) looked to be in pretty good shape.

But Magic star Paolo Banchero scored in the paint, giving him a game-high 36 points, and was fouled by Deandre Ayton. Banchero missed the free throw, leaving the Lakers ahead 106-105 with 1:18 left.

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James went to work in the post over the smaller Anthony Black, drawing a foul. But James made just one of two free throws for a 107-105 lead

Magic guard Desmond Bane (22 points) answered with a three-pointer for a 108-107 lead that forced the Lakers to call a timeout with 34.6 seconds left.

Hachimura missed a three, but the Lakers retained possession, and on the ensuing inbounds play Doncic found James cutting down the lane for a dunk and a 109-108 Lakers lead.

Banchero missed a jumper, but Wendell Carter Jr. grabbed the rebound and scored for a 110-109 Orlando lead with 6.7 seconds left. The Magic finished with 12 offensive rebounds.

The Lakers called another timeout and had one last opportunity, but this time they didn't get a good shot out of the inbounds play and James' off-balance shot missed as time expired.

The good news was the Lakers saw a more engaged Ayton, a more active big man, a more involved player.

Doncic passed the ball inside to Ayton in the midpost early in the third quarter and watched his big center turn and shoot over a smaller defender. Ayton missed but collected the rebound and scored on a layup.

Ayton had 17 points on six-for-eight shooting and six rebounds in the first half and finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds, his first double-double since Jan. 30.

Doncic went down late in the first quarter after getting poked in his eye by Orlando's Mo Wager, a red mark developing beneath his eye. Doncic stayed down for a while before eventually getting up. On the very next possession, Doncic drilled a three-pointer, a sign that his vision was clear.

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He finished the quarter with 11 points on four-for-eight shooting, four rebounds and four assists. Doncic went to the locker room but returned to the bench early in the second quarter.

Early in that second quarter, the Lakers displayed hustle and defense.

James ran down Black and blocked his shot off the backboard. Banchero got the rebound but had his shot blocked by a hustling Marcus Smart.

The Lakers started the third quarter by giving their fans a highlight moment. It began with Ayton getting a defensive rebound and passing to James, who whipped the ball to Austin Reaves and filled the lane on the fast break.

Reaves threw a lob to James for a dunk, bringing the crowd to its feet.

The Lakers opened a 12-point lead in the third quarter, their defense on point and their offense looking good.

But the Magic (31-26) didn’t stop coming after the Lakers. Orlando closed out the third quarter hard and got to within 80-79 entering the fourth.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.