Four-time MVP LeBron James continued to etch his name into basketball folklore by becoming the first-ever player to record 40-point or more against every team in the NBA.
James continued his inspiring form by scoring 46 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 133-115 loss to city rivals the Los Angeles Clippers, disrupting a short two-game winning streak for the 17-time champions.
With his 46 points tonight, LeBron James has scored 40 points against every team in the NBA pic.twitter.com/kVewUTzqsu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 25, 2023
The 38-year-old was also hot from behind the three-point line, finishing with a career-high nine 3-pointers to become the first player aged 35 or older to make nine or more threes.
In the 101st 40-point game and the 1,404th game of his 20-year career, the former Cleveland Cavaliers star’s night was as sensational as they come as he tied the great Michael Jordan for the most games (three) with 45 points at the age of 38.
LeBron James is the first player in NBA history to make 9+ threes in a game at age 35 or older.
9 threes is also a new career high. pic.twitter.com/hs5Ek8vvqy
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) January 25, 2023
“The King” also continues his pursuit of the top gong in the NBA, with his sights set solely on shattering the league’s all-time scoring record. He is just 177 points behind Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has 38,387.
Barring any injuries, the four-time NBA champion is expected to break Abdul-Jabbar’s long-held record within the next two weeks, potentially across Lakers’ five-game road trip.
When asked about the record after the game, James told reporters: “I’ve got to this place by not even thinking about it.”
”Just being in the moment, trying to play the game the right way. Even tonight, as well as I shot the ball, I was still trying to distribute to my guys, to make sure they felt some type of rhythm. That’s just always how I’ve played the game,” he added.
James’ fantastic season has left everyone in awe, including Clippers star Paul George and head coach Tyronn Lue, who coached him in the Cavaliers’ historic championship win in 2016.
“It’s just incredible. The league is his. Stand-up guy, been amazing mentor, leader to a lot of us young guys and he’s been awesome. He’s been awesome. It’s great that he’ll be the scoring leader,” George said about James closing in on Kareem’s all-time scoring record.
”James had a great shooting game, especially when they cut the lead to 10, you know he is on fire like that but we weathered the storm,” Lue said after the Clippers’ third straight victory.
The 18-time All-Star is having one of his best seasons in the league with averages of 30.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists on 50.9% field-goal percentage and 30.7% shooting from beyond the 3-point arc in 36.2 minutes per game.
46 points and a CAREER-HIGH 9 threes for @KingJames.
He’s the first player age 35 or older to make 9+ threes. pic.twitter.com/T7qAK2Ra0d
— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2023
