Chauncey Billups, who witnessed LeBron James' NBA debut over two decades ago, was once again present on Friday as James showcased his basketball prowess, this time as the coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. The 7,351st day of James' storied career resulted in another impressive performance, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a resounding 107-95 victory against the Trail Blazers and maintaining their unbeaten streak in the in-season tournament.

Despite coming off a demoralizing 25-point loss to the Sacramento Kings, the Lakers faced a grueling schedule and needed to quickly bounce back. James left no doubt that he was ready to redeem himself, displaying his iconic moves with a confident shake of his head as he glided to the basket for an early score. Throughout the game, he showcased his trademark three-point shot, punctuating it with a pointed gesture toward his arm. In the fourth quarter, James remained unfazed by physical contact, flexing and shrugging off defenders.

Finishing with 35 points, equaling his season high, James demonstrated his continued dominance in his 21st NBA season. Alongside his scoring prowess, he collected nine assists, showing his playmaking abilities that have made him one of the top point scorers in league history. In particular, James orchestrated seven of those assists in the critical fourth quarter, ensuring the Lakers never trailed in the game against Portland.

Billups, in awe of James' enduring greatness, acknowledged his incredible achievements before the match, anticipating future generations recounting the tale of witnessing James' remarkable career. Even though James confessed to feeling somewhat fatigued after playing four games in six nights while battling a cold, his performance on the court showed no signs of weariness.

Following their win against the Trail Blazers, the Lakers will conclude their pool play in the inaugural in-season tournament with a crucial matchup against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. A victory in that game would secure their place in the single-elimination phase of the tournament. Notably, the Lakers received contributions from all eight key players in coach Darvin Ham's rotation, highlighting their depth and resilience.

In addition to their triumph on the court, Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal contributed to their off-court success by funding a basketball court renovation at the Challengers Boys & Girls Club in South L.A. He generously donated $20,000 and shoes, further exemplifying the Lakers' commitment to their community.

The Lakers have been in formidable form lately, winning four of their last five games, including an unblemished record in the ongoing tournament. As they approach their upcoming game against the Houston Rockets in Los Angeles on Sunday, the Lakers understand the significance of the in-season tournament and acknowledge the stakes involved. While not putting all their focus on the tournament, they remain fully aware of the importance of each game and continue to capitalize on their opportunities.

Dan Woike, the Los Angeles Times Lakers beat writer, covers the team with comprehensive reports and insights. Keep up with all things Lakers by subscribing to Woike's weekly newsletter, delivering the latest Lakers news straight to your inbox.

(Note: The generated article is a product of artificial intelligence and does not include any original reporting by Dan Woike or the Los Angeles Times.)