LeBron James had another amazing effort on Sunday (Monday in Manila), scoring 40 points and matching a career high with nine 3-pointers on ten attempts as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 116-104.
James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and the league’s oldest active player at 39, made 13-of-17 shots from the floor and added seven rebounds and five assists in a performance that earned him a standing ovation from Brooklyn fans.
“I was feeling pretty good today, obviously, shooting the ball from the perimeter,” James said. “I just try to continually put my game where I have no weaknesses out on the floor, especially offensively. Tonight I had it going from the 3-point line.”
Bird’s eye from Brooklyn
James achieved his 77th NBA career 40-point game to match Oscar Robertson for seventh on an all-time list topped by Wilt Chamberlain’s 271.
“I love this game. I try to put everything into the game and with it, it gives back to me,” James said.
“Anytime I’m linked with the greats — and obviously Big O was a big inspiration for me growing up, reading about his history — it’s pretty cool.”
Anthony Davis scored 24 points and 14 rebounds, and Japan’s Rui Hachimura had 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Lakers took a 17-0 lead and never looked back.
D’Angelo Russell scored 18 points and broke the 10,000-point barrier in the victory, helping the Lakers advance to 42-33, slightly ahead of Golden State for the final two Western Conference play-in berths.
James was not the only superstar who made nine 3-pointers on Sunday.
Luka Doncic led Dallas against host Houston 125-107, scoring 47 points on 18-of-30 shooting, including 9-of-16 from three, halting the Rockets’ 11-game winning streak and extending the Mavericks’ win run to seven games.
Golden State stayed pace with the Lakers, winning 117-113 in San Antonio. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 33 points, while the hosts were paced by youngster Victor Wembanyama, who had 32.
Nikola Jokic also recorded his 23rd triple double of the season, leading defending champion Denver to a 130-101 home victory over Cleveland.
