The Los Angeles Lakers (17-6) continue their strong start to the season, narrowly defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 112-108 and avoiding back-to-back losses for the first time this year. They had lost their previous game against the Celtics, where they were without both LeBron James (rest) and Luka Doncic (attending the birth of his second child).
The difference made by having their superstars available is evident, Luka finished with a game-high 31 points, and LeBron followed with 29 points, including an incredible late-game run where he scored 10 consecutive points to become the hero. LeBron demonstrated that he has clearly put his worst scoring game since 2007 behind him, a game that ended his historic streak of 1,297 consecutive double-digit scoring games against Toronto.
LeBron Eyes All-Time Regular Season Wins Mark
LeBron continues to show that time is on his side and that he can play for a couple more seasons if he chooses, can you imagine 25 seasons, a quarter-century in the NBA? That would be an unprecedented feat. The Lakers’ victory moved LeBron into second place on the all-time regular-season total wins list with 1,015, surpassing Robert Parish’s 1,014, and leaving him just 60 wins shy of first place, held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,074).
He will not break that record this year, as the Lakers have 59 games left and LeBron will not play every game due to rest, a decision that will likely cost him eligibility for season-end awards. However, given that LeBron has not mentioned retirement, and since the “King” will certainly have an announced farewell tour when he does, we can expect James to return next year. If he plays just one more season, he would undoubtedly surpass Kareem and secure the record as the player with the most regular-season wins.
By the time he retires, he is poised to hold records for most points scored, most regular-season wins, most playoff wins, and most seasons played. He is also second in all-time games played and is just 43 games away from surpassing Robert Parish’s 1,611 games, a record he could break this season. Without a doubt, he is the most complete player in NBA history.
Lakers Seek Second Mid-Season Tournament Title
After a three game trip to the East Coast, the Lakers will be back home this week to face the Spurs in the NBA Cup quarter-final game. The Lakers are aiming to win their second NBA Cup in the three years this mid-season tournament has existed.
The trio of Doncic, James, and Reaves have only one loss this season (against the Suns) when playing together. This allows fans to dream, as they surely want Doncic to win his first NBA championship while simultaneously watching LeBron potentially claim his fifth title and his second with the Lakers.
