After losing their previous game against the Eastern Conference toppers, the Cleveland Cavaliers, JJ Redick’s Los Angeles Lakers returned to winning ways. On Thursday night, the Lakers hosted the 11-21 Portland Trail Blazers without Anthony Davis, and superstar LeBron James and youngster Max Christie combined for 66 points. LeBron James delivered a spectacular performance as the Lakers beat the Trail Blazers 114-106.
Lakers star LeBron James notched up a game-high 38 points to help the Lakers reach the sixth spot in the Western Conference standings. The 40-year-old James shot 15-off-25 from the field, including seven three-pointers, and also registered eight assists. With this win, the Lakers improved to a 19-14 record.
TOUGH 3 FROM LEBRON LATE. 🔥@Lakers get the W. pic.twitter.com/sZLylbdzq9
— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2025
Apart from LeBron, youngster Max Christie displayed a tremendous performance, scoring 28 points on 56.2% FG shooting and 5-off-9 three-point shots. Austin Reaves finished the game with two rebounds shy of a triple-double as he registered 15 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.
LeBron James Makes History With His 38-Point Game Against Trail Blazers
LeBron James turned 40 on December 30 and has been aging like a fine wine. With his 38-point outburst against Portland in AD’s absence, the four-time NBA champion tied legendary Michael Jordan for the most 30-point games of all time. He is only behind Jordan’s 43 and 39-point games for the most points scored by a 40-year-old.
LeBron tonight:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 3, 2025
38 PTS
8 AST
7-10 3P
Ties Michael Jordan for the most 30-point games of all-time. pic.twitter.com/LDzYIRiT1s
Jaxson Hayes started as the center for the Lakers in Davis’ absence. However, after missing several games, the 24-year-old failed to make a strong comeback. Apart from LeBron, Christie, and Reaves, no Laker could score in double digits.
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On the other hand, Portland, led by youngsters like Deni Avdija and Anfernee Simons, has been struggling this season. After their loss against the Lakers, the Trail Blazers are lingering at the 13th spot in the West with an 11-22 record. While Simons registered a team-high 23 points, Avdija recorded a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.
The Lakers will next face Trae Young’s Atlanta Hawks at the Crypto.com Arena in their back-to-back home games. After losing their previous clash against the Hawks, LeBron James and Co. will seek revenge for their earlier OT loss. Meanwhile, Portland will travel to the Fiserv Forum to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday.
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