LeBron James closes on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as Lakers edge Knicks in OT.
As one of the top passers in the game, LeBron James takes pride in his ability to combine all three aspects of the game: scoring, rebounding, and assisting. “I don’t focus on records, points, or anything else,” said James. “I just try to play the right way, by being a triple threat.”
James moved closer to making history, as he scored 28 points, grabbed an impressive 10 rebounds and dished out 11 assists in the Lakers’ 129-123 victory over the Knicks. This was enough for him to move to fourth on the all-time assists list and within 89 points of the NBA career scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points).
James showed why he is an all-time great, as he made a clutch 3-pointer to give the Lakers a lead with 3:13 left, and then drove to the basket for a 127-121 lead with 19 seconds remaining.” He’s doing everything,” Lakers coach Darwin Hamm said. “That’s what great players do. That’s what all-time greats do, and he’s at the top of the list with all of them.”
At Madison Square Garden, James moved ahead of Mark Jackson and Steve Nash in the assists list during his first game in three years. Anthony Davis scored 27 points and had nine rebounds for the Lakers, who had previously lost two games in a row. Jalen Brunson added 37 points and Julius Randle had 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks. James’ 3-pointer gave the Lakers a 114-108 lead late in the game, but the Knicks managed to tie it at 114 with a basket from Brunson. In the last possession, Randle couldn’t get a shot off in time before the end of regulation, sending the Lakers to overtime.
James was out of action on Monday due to soreness in his left foot, according to coach Darvin Ham. At first, the Lakers listed the injury as an ankle but upgraded James to available after he did well in a pregame workout.This was an important game for James, as he was hurt two years ago and suspended last season for striking Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart in the face. His last time playing in this venue was on January 22, 2000, when he was close to surpassing Kobe Bryant’s career scoring record.
James is now only behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career assists, and he could potentially break that record in the next 10 days. The game was tied at 90 when James provided Troy Brown Jr. with an assist for a 3-pointer, followed by an assist to Thomas Bryant for a dunk. This moved James into fourth place in career assists, with 10,338.
James’ highly anticipated return to MSG was met with a sellout crowd, including celebrities like Michael J. Fox, Michael B. Jordan, Emma Stone and Chris Rock. The audience filled the lower sections of the arena, eager to watch James warm up, but he couldn’t deliver a signature performance. He shot 2-for-8 in the first half, including an airball, but made his last two shots. His halfcourt pass then was finished off by Schroder at the buzzer, cutting the deficit to 53-52.