When LeBron James was pulling off his dribble to float an alley-oop pass to Anthony Davis, or diving into the stands in an attempt to retrieve the ball for the Lakers, he was more immediate than making NBA history. Appeared far more concerned with team goals.
Still, after nearly 40 minutes on the court, James could not prevent Los Angeles from losing ground in the standings, even though he took the lead on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring mark.
James went 36 points away from tying the NBA career scoring record in the Lakers’ 131-126 loss to New Orleans on Saturday night, ending the Pelicans’ 10-game losing streak.
“I just want to win,” James said. “You know, you just play the game the right way and see what happens.”
James had 27 points to go along with nine rebounds and six assists as he edged closer to Abdul-Jabbar’s record total of 38,387 points.
“I’m tired as hell,” James said, but added, “I’ll be ready to go on Tuesday,” when the Lakers next play.
Brandon Ingram had his best game since returning 10 days prior from an injury absence of nearly two months, scoring 35 points for the Pelicans on an array of drives and jumpers, sometimes in heavy traffic as he was fouled .
CJ McCollum had 23 points, highlighted at the end of the 3rd, to help New Orleans go on a 9–5 run over the final 3:14 that kept the Lakers at bay.
Pelicans coach Willie Green, whose team won just the fourth time in 19 games, said, “We continued to attack across the board.” “Everybody on our team that touched the floor came in and played with force and played with confidence. This is what we have to do to get over the hump.
Davis had 34 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers. They led by 12 when James’ finger layup made it 84–72 in the third quarter.
The Pelicans ended the period with five quick points on McCollum’s transition floater and Jose Alvarado’s 3 after catching a deflected inbound pass.
That sequence cut the Lakers’ advantage to 106–103, and New Orleans went in front when Trey Murphy hit back-to-back 3s, the second from 27 feet, to make it 114–108.
The game remained tight thereafter, but the Pelicans did not allow Los Angeles to retake the lead.
Murphy finished with 21 points and Alvarado with 18.
Jonas Valancius had 18 points and 14 rebounds for New Orleans, but left late in the third quarter with a right knee injury and did not return.
Russell Westbrook scored 15 points but did not play during the final 11 minutes.
“Whatever decision they make, it’s up to them,” Westbrook said, dismissing questions about the possibility of being sent out of Los Angeles before the February 9 trade deadline. “I have been playing since day one. I support my teammates a lot. I compete every night.
Westbrook said, “Whatever decision they make, I will make sure that I am very professional as I always have been and always will be.”
James said that the rumors of the trade deadline should not distract the Lakers from what they must do to win games.
“It shouldn’t be an issue. The trade deadline happens every year,” James said. “You go out and stay focused no matter what. You’re still a professional.
And while James said he didn’t want to talk about potential trades for the Lakers’ front office, he didn’t dispute the notion that Kyrie Irving, who has requested a trade and held a meeting with James in Cleveland Title won, can help. Lakers.
James said, “It’s a ‘duh’ question when talking about a player like this.”