LeBron James wrote a new page in his legend on Tuesday, becoming the leading scorer in NBA history, but his Lakers lost again at home (133-130) to Oklahoma City, a direct competitor in the race for play offs.
With now 38,390 points – current series – “LBJ” has supplanted Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s old record by two units. He needed 36 to do this, he ended up with 38.
The feat is gigantic and once he succeeded in this shot by turning around at the end of the third quarter, almost nothing more mattered in the eyes of the fans. However, the defeat of LA is all the more damaging as the Thunder, carried by Shai Geilgeous-Alexander (30 pts), took the opportunity to climb to 11th position (26 v., 28 d.), two rows above Californians (25-30.
Earlier in Denver, it was “business as usual”, an ordinary evening, for the reigning double MVP Nikola Jokic, author of his 19th triple-double of the season (20 pts, 16 assists, 12 rebounds) even before halftime, during the crushing victory at the expense of Minnesota (146-112).
With Michael Porter Jr. in success (30 pts), the Nuggets, now undisputed leaders in the West, counted up to 40 lengths ahead, against the Timberwolves (9th) who left their bite at home, like Rudy Gobert remained at 0 points (5 rebounds) in 19 minutes (0/2 on shots).
Memphis, for its part, stopped its losing streak at three, easily beating Chicago (104-89) thanks to its nugget Ja Morant (34 pts) and its pivot Jaren Jackson Jr. (24 pts), who will represent the Grizzlies at the February 19 All-Star Game.
– Thomas, also in History –
In the East, the sensation came from Brooklyn where, despite the Nets’ defeat (116-112) against Phoenix, the young Cam Thomas, 21, scored 43 points, chaining his third game in a row to at least 40 units. He had put 44 on Saturday against Washington and 47 on Monday against the Clippers.
He thus became the youngest player in NBA history to achieve this performance. Only he and former Sixers star Allen Iverson made it before the age of 22, the latter achieving it five times in a row in 1997.
This did not prevent the Nets, now orphaned by Kyrie Irving, gone to Dallas, from losing for the second consecutive time, to remain 5th.
For the Suns, the recovery continues in the West (5th) after this third success in a row, obtained thanks to the new big game of DeAndre Ayton (35 pts, 15 rebounds), Devin Booker succeeding in his return (19 pts) five weeks after his groin injury.
New York, for its part, was able to count on Jalen Brunson (25 pts), author of important baskets in the last seconds, to win in Orlando (102-98).
Also worn by Julius Randle (22 pts, 14 rebounds), the Knicks consolidate their 7th position, ahead of Atlanta beaten in New Orleans (116-107). Brandon Ingram, author of 30 points, guided the Pelicans (8th in the West).
