NBA Roundup: LeBron James Makes History in Lakers’ Victory
LeBron James scored 42 points, making history as one of only two players aged 40 or older to score 40 points in an NBA game, joining Michael Jordan. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 120-112 on Thursday night. In addition to his scoring, James grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds, provided eight assists, and hit six 3-pointers, leading the Lakers to their fourth consecutive win and 10th in the past 12 games.
Austin Reaves contributed 23 points, and Gabe Vincent added 15 with five 3-pointers for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes each scored 11 points, while Jarred Vanderbilt pulled down 14 rebounds.
Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 37 points and seven rebounds, scoring 19 of those in the fourth quarter, including four 3-pointers (he finished 6 of 20 from the field). Buddy Hield and Moses Moody chipped in 14 points apiece, while Pat Spencer and Draymond Green both scored 13 for Golden State.
Pacers 119, Clippers 112
Indiana made an impressive comeback to defeat the Clippers in Inglewood, Calif., overcoming a 22-point first-half deficit. Pascal Siakam finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds, while Bennedict Mathurin scored 25 points. A 14-0 run late in the game sealed the Pacers’ victory, improving their record to 12-2 in their last 14 road games. Tyrese Haliburton added 14 points and eight assists, and Thomas Bryant contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds. Indiana lost Myles Turner to a facial injury early in the game.
Norman Powell and James Harden each tallied 22 points for the Clippers, who dropped their third consecutive game. Kawhi Leonard, playing a season-high 33 minutes, added 19 points for Los Angeles.
Trail Blazers 108, Kings 102
Portland earned its sixth straight win, defeating Sacramento at home with a strong performance from Anfernee Simons, who scored 30 points, including eight 3-pointers, and added six assists. Shaedon Sharpe came off the bench for 24 points, while Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and eight rebounds.
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan each scored 22 points for the Kings, who lost for the fourth time in five games. Malik Monk added 21 points, while Domantas Sabonis recorded 10 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out.
Mavericks 127, Celtics 120
Dallas, missing key players, earned a road win over Boston, with Klay Thompson scoring 25 points and Spencer Dinwiddie adding 22 off the bench. The Mavericks shot 55.7 percent from the floor (49 of 88) and broke a three-game losing streak. Daniel Gafford posted eight points and 15 rebounds, while Anthony Davis (abdominal strain) missed his third consecutive game.
Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 25 points, while Payton Pritchard contributed 21 points, and both Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis added 17 points each.
Timberwolves 127, Rockets 114
Anthony Edwards posted 41 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, leading Minnesota to a win over Houston in Minneapolis. Edwards followed up a 49-point performance from the previous night as the Timberwolves won their second straight game. Rookie Jaylen Clark scored a career-high 17 points, and both Naz Reid (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Rudy Gobert (13 points, 10 rebounds) had double-doubles.
Jalen Green led the Rockets with 28 points, as Houston suffered its fifth consecutive loss. Alperen Sengun finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, while Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore also scored 16 points each.
Nuggets 112, Magic 90
Nikola Jokic posted his 24th triple-double of the season with 28 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds, while Michael Porter Jr. scored 30 points, leading Denver to a home win over Orlando. Jokic’s triple-double was the NBA’s best this season, and Porter has scored 30 points in three consecutive games. Christian Braun contributed 16 points, and Aaron Gordon added 11 for the Nuggets, who extended their win streak to five games.
Wendell Carter Jr. led Orlando with 19 points, while Paolo Banchero scored 18 points and Franz Wagner added 14. The Magic ended their road trip with a 1-5 record.
