The Golden State Warriors narrowly prevailed against the Los Angeles Lakers. Klay Thompson really turned it up in the last quarter. On the other side, LeBron James reached the next milestone in the NBA.
LeBron James is the most successful shooter in NBA history and has scored more points in games in the main round and play-offs than any other professional basketball player. In the Los Angeles Lakers’ narrow 115-117 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night (local time), James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had scored 44,149 points in his career. James now stands at 44,157. In the more prestigious category, points in the majors, Abdul-Jabbar, who was active from 1969 to 1989, still leads with 1861 points.
“It’s pretty cool. It’s unbelievable,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said before the game. “Everything he’s done throughout his career is just remarkable. That’s why I think he’s the greatest to ever play the game.”
San Francisco’s best thrower was Klay Thompson, who finished with 33 points, his most since nearly three years ago. He recorded 16 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter. Thompson had missed the last two seasons with the Warriors completely with injuries. Now he made sure that the Warriors did not let the gap to league leader Phoenix Suns grow even bigger. The number one in the Western Conference picked up its 46th win of the season in a 132-105 win over the Orlando Magic. Franz Wagner scored twelve points for the Magic. Moritz Wagner was again absent due to a rib contusion.
Doncic with 45 points
For the Lakers, the defeat was particularly annoying despite a much improved performance because city rival Los Angeles Clippers won the away game at Dallas Mavericks and thus landed an important victory in the fight for the play-off places. In the 99-97 win in Dallas, even Luka Doncic, who once again played outstandingly, could not stop the Clippers. The Slovenian had 45 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, but could not prevent the 24th defeat of the season against their Western Conference rivals. Just two days ago, the Mavericks had played the Clippers, Doncic had set a career best with 51 points. Maxi Kleber, meanwhile, remained without a point in 22 minutes of play. Isaiah Hartenstein recorded two points and five rebounds for the Clippers.