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Dec. 5 (UPI) -- LeBron James got away with a blatant traveling violation during a Los Angeles Lakers blowout of the Utah Jazz. The Lakers star told reporters after the game that he had a "malfunction" in the first quarter of the 121-96 win Wednesday at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.
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James' Lakers trailed 11-5 with 9:19 remaining in the opening frame when he dribbled the ball toward the 3-point arc. Jazz forward Bojan Bogdanovic picked up James defensively. James eventually picked up his dribble, took several steps and then dribbled again in front of Bogdanovic, who pleaded with a nearby referee to call a travel on the Lakers star.
James passed the ball after the referee declined to call him out for the infraction. The Lakers then went on a run to take a 14-13 lead with 6:47 remaining. Los Angeles held a 34-26 lead at the end of the quarter.
"It was probably one of the worst things I've ever done in my career," James told reporters. "I didn't even realize I did it until halftime ... I was ready to pass the ball and my brain kinda just ... I just had a malfunction."
Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 26 points in the win. James had 20 points, 12 assists and four rebounds for the Lakers. Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 29 points for the Jazz.
The Lakers battle the Portland Trail Blazers at 10:30 p.m. EST Friday at Moda Center in Portland.
