LeBron James etched his name alongside basketball legend Michael Jordan in the annals of NBA history with a stellar 40-point performance, propelling the Los Angeles Lakers to a commanding 116-104 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
James’s remarkable feat makes him only the second player, following in the footsteps of Jordan, to achieve the milestone of scoring 40 points in more than one NBA game beyond the age of 39. Jordan, a titan of the sport who played until he was 40, accomplished this feat three times, while James, at the age of 39, has now achieved it twice.
Reflecting on his achievement, James humbly remarked, “Any time I’m linked with the greats, it’s pretty cool.” His awe-inspiring performance included a career-high nine three-pointers, underscoring his enduring prowess on the court.
D’Angelo Russell also made waves during the game, surpassing the 10,000 career points mark, while James’s unparalleled display of skill and determination propelled the Lakers to victory at the Barclays Center in New York.
Speaking about his love for the game and his relentless pursuit of excellence, James expressed, “I love this game. I try to put everything into the game and with it, it gives back to me.” His commitment to refining his craft and eliminating weaknesses was evident throughout the game, particularly in his exceptional performance from beyond the arc.
Despite the Lakers currently occupying the ninth spot in the Western Conference, their playoff aspirations remain within reach, while the Nets find themselves in the 11th position in the Eastern Conference.
In other NBA action, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a playoff berth for the first time since 2020 with a thrilling 113-112 victory over the New York Knicks, thanks to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch basket in the dying moments of the game.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets solidified their playoff position with a resounding 130-101 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, propelled by Nikola Jokic’s stellar performance, which included his 23rd triple-double of the season.
The Dallas Mavericks extended their winning streak to seven games with a dominant 125-107 victory over the Houston Rockets, led by a remarkable 47-point performance from Luka Doncic, who also matched his career-high of nine three-pointers while contributing 12 rebounds and seven assists.