[jwplayer SjbGbLcl]
Led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers claimed their 17th championship on Sunday after defeating the Miami Heat 106-93 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
James became the first player in history to be named the NBA Finals MVP on three different teams. He captured his fourth career championship by recording 28 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in Game 6, his 28th career triple-double in the playoffs and 11th in the NBA Finals.
Several of James’ teammates became NBA champions for the first time, including Davis, Dwight Howard, Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker. In fact, with Horton-Tucker picking up his first ring, the rookie made a bit of history in the process.
Horton-Tucker, who will turn 20 on Nov. 20, became the second-youngest player in NBA history to win a title, and the youngest American player to do so, according to HoopsHype. The only player younger than Horton-Tucker to win was Darko Miličić, who won just before turning 19 years old.
Youngest players to win an NBA championship
- Darko Miličić, 18.9
- Talen Horton-Tucker, 19.8
- Magic Johnson, 20.7
- Tony Parker, 21.1
- Vern Mikkelsen, 21.5
Horton-Tucker, who was the 46th overall pick, played sparingly with the Lakers this season, averaging 5.7 points in six regular-season games. He made two appearances during the playoffs, both in the second round versus the Houston Rockets, and totaled 14 points in those games.
WOKE UP A NBA CHAMP🏆 pic.twitter.com/kuxiKQgy5B
— Talen (@Thortontucker) October 12, 2020
The opportunity for Horton-Tucker to experience a championship run in only his rookie season will certainly prove to be invaluable as he continues his development. Horton-Tucker has now seen firsthand what it takes to win and that will have a lasting impression on his career.
[lawrence-related id=22749,22450,22443]
[vertical-gallery id=22963]