The 41-year-old scored 30 points in the second win of the week over the Houston Rockets
LeBron James produced one of the most extraordinary performances of his 23-year NBA career on Wednesday night, scoring 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting, including six dunks as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 124-116 on the road to extend their winning streak to a season-best seven games.
The display was all the more remarkable given the state James was in before tip-off. “Before the game, I didn’t feel that great. I mean, I was yawning and tired and telling myself, I was literally just like talking to myself like, ‘Come on, here we go. Let’s figure it out. Let’s get through it,’” he said.
“But I felt pretty good in the game. I’m happy I’m able to make a few plays to help our team win.”
James threw down three alley-oops during the win, matching the most he has ever had in a single game, including one from a Marcus Smart pass that appeared to be sailing into the seats before the 41-year-old soared to catch and slam it home.
His six dunks in total were the most he had recorded in a game since March 2017.
The performance left his team-mates searching for superlatives. “That’s really impressive,” said Luka Doncic, who contributed 40 points, nine rebounds and ten assists of his own. “It’s insane.”
Austin Reaves, who added 14 points and eight assists, was equally stunned. “The fact that he’s 41, he’s still as athletic or more athletic than about 95% of the league, and he’s probably lost a little athleticism. It’s just insane to think about. It’s absolutely mind-blowing.”
Durant hails USA team-mate
Even Kevin Durant, the 37-year-old Rockets superstar who had 18 points in the loss, was left shaking his head. “I’m not surprised anymore. He’s a freak athlete. He’s a generational athlete. He cares and loves the game. Cares about his body.
“This is what he does. He’s built for this. I think he could play until he’s 45 years old. I don’t know if he wants to be around that long, but I think he could play for another four to five more years. His age, he is 41, but he looks great out there.”
James became the first Laker to score at least 30 points on 90% shooting since Shaquille O’Neal in March 2003, and the oldest player in NBA history to achieve that feat.
The Lakers, now 44-25 and firmly established in third place in the Western Conference, are increasingly leaning on Doncic and Reaves as their primary offensive options, with James accepting a quieter role that has ironically brought out some of his sharpest play.
He has averaged 20.8 points on 61.5% shooting across a stretch of eight games in which he has attempted 15 or fewer field goals – twice as long as any previous streak in his career with that few shots.
