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Lakers star LeBron James passes between Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) and guard De’Aaron Fox (5) during the Lakers’ 113-100 win Thursday night. (Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)
Midway through the first quarter Thursday night, LeBron James checked out against the Sacramento Kings, walking to the bench in the city where he played his first NBA regular season minutes more than 21 years ago.
It would be his last walk off the court before achieving another milestone. By the time his next shift ended in the second quarter, he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most minutes logged in the regular season, breaking the previous record of 57,446 minutes.
“I just think it’s just a commitment to the craft and to the passion and love I have for the game,” James said about his achievement — one in which he has spent more than 957 hours playing in professional basketball games.
Read more: Darvin Ham says what he accomplished with Lakers warranted an extension, not firing
Still, after all that time, James is capable of making winning plays — the chase-down block, the key defensive stop and the bully-ball dagger all playing a role in helping the Lakers defeat the Kings 113-100.
Austin Reaves led the Lakers with 25 points and James had 19 points, six rebounds and seven assists. He ended the game at 57,471 career minutes after playing 34 minutes.
“I’ve been able to do this at a high level over two decades,” James said. “And to continue to put myself in record books in this game of basketball that I love so much and in the best league in the world is pretty cool and it’s very humbling.”
Despite a slow shooting night, Anthony Davis dominated with 21 points, four assists and season highs of 18 rebounds and six blocked shots. Davis also had three steals.
“He was phenomenal tonight,” Redick said. “And it just shows you how elite he is as a player that he can have a seven-for-20 night and still dominate a basketball game.”
The minutes record comes at a time when the Lakers and James have been very in touch with how much he has (and hasn’t) been playing. James missed two games and spent a week away from…
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Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-20 05:46:00
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