LeBron James leads Lakers to Western Conference Finals as defending NBA Champions eliminated

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When the Los Angeles Lakers started the 2022-23 NBA season 2-10, the thought of playing basketball in the month of May was a pipe dream. 

Now, the Lakers have a chance to be playing in June after defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games, sending Steph Curry and the defending NBA champions home Friday night with a 122-101 victory. 

Stephen Curry, #30 of the Golden State Warriors, reacts after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers during the Western Conference Semifinal Playoff game at Crypto.com Arena on May 12, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers eliminated the Warriors, 122-101.  (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring, pouring in 30 points while adding nine rebounds and nine assists. 

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"It was great to be able to play one of our most efficient games, one of our best games of the series, and it started because of the defensive matchup we had," James said. 

"We defended at a high level, and when we do that, we can be extremely good. I thought we were locked in for as close to 48 minutes as possible tonight."

Lakers big man Anthony Davis was dominant on the boards, grabbing 20 rebounds on the night as the Lakers advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. 

Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, is hugged by LeBron James, #6, during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 12, 2023, in Los Angeles, California.   (Harry How/Getty