Photo: Getty Images

By Rafael Bandayrel

The Los Angeles Lakers escaped the Toronto Raptors, 123-120, on a buzzer-beating corner three from Rui Hachimura during their 2025-26 NBA regular season matchup on Friday morning (PH time) at Scotiabank Arena.

With under two minutes remaining, LeBron James knotted the game at 118 with a tough layup. Brandon Ingram briefly put Toronto back ahead with a jumper, but Austin Reaves answered with a swift drive to tie it at 120. That set the stage for Hachimura, who drilled the game-winner as time expired.

Reaves erupted for 44 points and 11 assists to lead the Lakers. James, meanwhile, finished with just 8 points—his first single-digit outing since January 5, 2007.

Slovenian superstar Luka Dončić sat out the contest due to personal reasons.

Now 16-5, the Lakers will look to secure a second straight win when they face their rival Boston Celtics tomorrow. The Raptors, whose eight-game home winning streak was snapped, fell to 15-8.