LeBron James, thrilled to be 'able to play basketball,' steers Los Angeles Lakers to victory in return

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James picked things back up right where he left them, continuing his offensive surge with 29 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 122-115 overtime win over the New York Knicks on Saturday following a five-game absence with swelling in his left knee.

«After the first quarter, the knee loosened up a lot more,» James said after accompanying the points with 13 rebounds and 10 assists to notch his 103rd career triple-double. «My mind loosened up a lot more. And I was just able to play basketball. But just excited to be back in the uniform, back on the floor with my guys. Missed them, missed the game. I was happy I was able to make a few plays and help us win a ballgame.»

Los Angeles went 1-4 without him and his return initially didn't seem to do much to impact that trend as the Knicks led 42-29 after the first quarter.

But James, who said he «didn't feel that great» during his pregame warmup as he attempted to play a game for the first time in a week and a half, got it going and so did his team, coming back from as many as 21 points accounting for the franchise's biggest comeback since December 2015.

«It's a hell of a return,» said Anthony Davis who put up 28 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks. «He's doing LeBron-type things. Expected nothing less from him. Efficient from the field. S---, he did what he's supposed to do. He helped us, for sure. So, I missed him. He's a big part of our team with his voice, his leadership, play-making ability. And he came back and showed it.»

James extended his streak of scoring 25-plus points to 19 games, the second longest streak of that nature of his 19-year career.

He played 39 minutes and 55 seconds on Saturday, which Lakers coach Frank Vogel admitted was more than he