Apr 3, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James watches game action against the Denver Nuggets during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers' star LeBron James scores 42 points in Drew League game

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/16/22

Early Saturday morning, rumors that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James planned to suit up for a Drew League game had the basketball world buzzing.

After midnight on Saturday, Chicago Bulls All-Star DeMar DeRozan posted a tweet teasing a King James appearance. Hours later, James was on the floor playing for the MMV Cheaters, a Drew League team led by DeRozan.

xDbo
Drew league tomorrow
— DeMar DeRozan (@DeMar_DeRozan) July 16, 2022

In front of a packed house, James and DeRozan put on a show, combining for 72 points to lead the MMV Cheaters to a 104-102 victory over the Black Pearl Elite.

Bron WENT OFF for 42 PTS

@KingJames: 42 PTS, 16 REB, 4 STLpic.twitter.com/ItazG82UVv
— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2022

James erupted for 42 points, 16 rebounds and four steals. Meanwhile, DeRozan finished with 30 points and 14 boards.

Debo was COOKING ♨

@DeMar_DeRozan: 30 PTS, 14 REBpic.twitter.com/e9HXS1izrb
— NBA (@NBA) July 17, 2022

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving also planned to play on Sunday, according to Drew League Commissioner Dino Smiley, though he never showed. Later in the afternoon, it became known that Irving was working at a basketball camp run by Lakers coach Phil Handy.

Everyone wanted to know why Kyrie Irving wasn’t at the Drew League with LeBron James and DeMar DeRozan.

Here he is a few hours ago helping Lakers coach Phil Handy with his camp

(via @karismajeanofficial/IG) pic.twitter.com/JbMi0HSXSP
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 16, 2022

The Drew League, founded in 1973, is held annually during the summer in Los Angeles, featuring professional and amateur players.

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