LOS ANGELES – LeBron James had a season-high 48 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in his third 40-point performance since turning 38 less than three weeks ago, and the Los Angeles Lakers slipped in three games with a 140-132 win about the Houston Rockets on Monday night.
Russell Westbrook scored 24 goals for the Lakers, who never again pulled away on a bad defensive game but also set a franchise record by conceding just two turnovers.
James’ brilliance in the 100th 40-pointer of his career – including the postseason – was just enough to stop Houston. He scored 20 points in the fourth quarter and went 9-9 at the free-throw line.
James scored his 38,000. career point in a one-point loss to Philadelphia on Sunday night, and he showed no ill effects as he played in back-to-back games, despite the sore left ankle that has dogged him for weeks.
“I was extremely exhausted today,” said James. “I could have taken the night off, but…our ball club didn’t need me taking a night off, I didn’t feel like it. I wanted to sit on this loss with Philly last night. I wanted to get that out of my taste buds and see if we can win a ball game tonight. It was a complete team effort and I was just trying to make plays.
After carrying the exhausted Lakers long distances, interrupted by fierce dunks and five 3-pointers, James hit a 17-foot jumper and four free throws in the last minute.
“It’s top of the line,” said Rockets coach Stephen Silas, an assistant on James’ Cleveland first two teams. “I saw that he had some really good[performances]and that was in the top five for sure.”
James scored 40 points for the 72nd time in the regular season in his 20-year career. Only Michael Jordan has more 40-point games in NBA history past the age of 35 — Jordan has had 12 and James has eight.
“I think it’s historic, man, on a lot of different levels,” said Lakers coach Darvin Ham. “For him to be at this point in his career and still be able to produce at the level he’s producing at, I think we can all witness it, be a part of it, it shows his competitive spirit, his non- give up mentality. … Whenever he’s out there, he’s only been competing. It’s amazing to see.”
Kendrick Nunn had 15 points for the Lakers, who have won six out of nine overall despite a thin roster.
Alperen Sengun posted a career-high 33 points and Jalen Green added 23 in the Rockets’ 11th straight loss. Sengun, the 20-year-old Turkish center, went off the field 14 of 17 and added 15 rebounds and six assists.
Houston has lost 16 of 17 over the past five weeks, falling 10-34 to bottom in the NBA standings.
James ignited the home crowd with two wild dunks in the last minute of the first half, both of which were interrupted by a profane shout at his fans. He kept up the attack with consecutive 3 pointers right after halftime.
TIP INS
Rockets: USC product Kevin Porter Jr. missed his third straight game with an injured left foot, but Silas is optimistic Porter will play this week. … Houston rookie Jabari Smith Jr. scored 14 points. His father was a member of the Kings when James played his first NBA game in Sacramento almost 20 years ago. Smith Sr. attended the game and had a cordial chat with James.
Lakers: Wenyen Gabriel had 14 points and nine rebounds before fouling with 2:41 to play. … Anthony Davis missed his 16th game in a row.
NEXT
Rockets: Host Charlotte on Wednesday.
Lakers: host Sacramento on Wednesday.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, transcribed or redistributed without permission.
