It was another busy day in the NBA on Wednesday with nine games on tap. But all eyes were on three all-time greats as they lead their respective teams to battle. Here’s our recap of their three games:
Lakers Overwhelm Pelicans as LeBron James Breaches 50,000 Points
LeBron James fired a team-high 34 points to power the Los Angeles Lakers (39-21) to a 136-115 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans (17-45) at crypto.com Arena in another history-making night for The King.
James hit a triple early in the Lakers’ dominant first quarter to breach 50,000 points in his career—regular season and playoffs—and become the first NBA player to do so. The four-time MVP also had 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks in yet another superlative showing in his 22nd season.
Luka Doncic added 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 15 assists—including the one that set James’ history-making triple. Jaxson Hayes chipped in 19 points and 10 rebounds and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field. Jarred Vanderbilt, Trey Jamison III, and Dalton Knecht combined for 37 points off the bench for the Lakers, who have now won seven straight.
Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with a game-high 37, followed by 19 from Trey Murphy III.
Up next:
Lakers vs. New York Knicks on March 7
Pelicans vs. Houston Rockets on March 7
Warriors Frustrate Knicks as Steph Curry Continues to Own MSG
Steph Curry scored 28 points and had 8 assists as he asserted his mastery of the New York Knicks (40-21) in Madison Square Garden by leading the Golden State Warriors (34-28) to a 114-102 victory.
Curry fired 20 of his points in the second half—including a triple to highlight the Warriors’ backbreaking 11-0 run starting in 6:39 mark of the fourth when Golden State’s lead was just 94-93. Jimmy Butler added 19 points—13 coming in the second half—while Brandin Podziemski chipped in 19. Draymond Green contributed 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists to help the Dubs continue their resurgence.
OG Anunoby led New York with 29 points, with Jalen Brunson adding 25. But their efforts weren’t enough to power the Knicks to victory without their All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns.
Up next:
Warriors vs. Brooklyn Nets on March 7
Knicks vs. Lakers on March 7
Suns Rally Past Clippers as Tensions Rise on the Bench
Kevin Durant led a second half charge to help the Phoenix Suns (29-33) rally past the Los Angeles Clippers (32-29) for a 119-117 win.
In a battle of two struggling teams, it was the Clippers that looked headed to victory, building as much as a 23-point lead late in the third quarter. But the Suns stormed back in the fourth, outscoring the Clips 43-22 for the victory.
Durant finished with 34 points and was fantastic in the fourth, combining with backup guard Collin Gillespie for 29 of the Suns’ 43 points. Durant had earlier figured in what appeared to be a verbal tussle with Phoenix coach Mike Buldenhozer before taking over late.
Gillespie had 10 points for the Suns and hit the dagger—a triple that gave Phoenix a 119-114 lead with time down to less than a minute.
Ivica Zubac’s career-high of 35 points led the Clippers, who also got 21 each from James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Up next:
Suns vs. Denver Nuggets on March 8
Clippers vs. Detroit Pistons on March 6
