Los Angeles Lakers’ veteran LeBron James added another feather to his cap, becoming the first NBA player with 50,000 combined points in regular and post-season. James needed one point to reach the glorious landmark before the match against the Pelicans and he did with his first shot with 8:34 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lakers registered a 136-115 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night as James finished with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Lakers have won 17 out of their last 20 games to move into second place in the Western Conference at 39-21.
“It’s a hell of a lot of points, and I’m super blessed to be able to put that many points up in the best league in the world with the best players in the world over my career,” James told Spectrum SportsNet in an on-court interview after the game. “It’s pretty special.”
James is aging like fine wine as he is averaging 26.4 points on 54.1% shooting (42.3% from 3), 8.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists since turning 40. The veteran is grateful to be doing what he loves the most in his life.
“I’ve had the opportunity to play the game that I love, and I’ve always been true to it, so I’m going to always try to give back,” James said Tuesday night.
On the other hand, Doncic had 30 points on 9-of-19 shooting (6-of-13 on 3s), 15 assists, and 8 rebounds, and the Slovenian showered praise on James for his consistency.
“It’s amazing,” Doncic said of James. “Watching him do this stuff at this age, it’s just unbelievable. Like, 50K points, I can’t even explain how insane that is. He might get to 70K, you never know.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said his team would not have been in such a commanding position in the Western Conference standings if James had not been playing the way he is playing.
“We wouldn’t be in the position we’re in without him playing at the level he’s been playing at,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said before the Pelicans game. “And that’s offensively and defensively.”
The Lakers will next take on the New York Knicks on Thursday.
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