LIVE: LeBron James is on the brink of the NBA’s all-time (regular season) scoring record as his LA Lakers host the Thunder.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has held the record since April 5, 1984 – when he passed another legend in Wilt Chamberlain.
James entered the game needing 36 points to overtake Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points, and currently has 20 points at halftime.
The 38-year-old copped a stray elbow to the face from Australian Josh Giddey in the first quarter, forcing him to sit on the bench with a towel covering his face. But he could not be stopped as he returned to the court – with the crowd chanting and clapping feverishly almost every time he touched the ball.
Wed, 08 Feb
Wednesday February 8th
MORE COVERAGE ‘He wants to win’: KD’s worrying Nets act after Irving exit as trade fears only growing NBA trade deadline state of play: Why KD could follow Kyrie out the door; Lakers must act fast NETS LOSE DESPITE YOUNGSTER’S INSANE STREAK Cam Thomas kept up his historic scoring. And the Nets kept on failing to support him. The young guard had a third straight stellar night following the departure of Kyrie Irving, but the Nets fell 116-112 to the Suns before 17,093 at Barclays Center. Thomas poured in a team-high 43 points, the youngest player in league history to crack 40 in three consecutive games, and the first time a Net has ever done so in the NBA. He even outdueled Suns All-Star Devin Booker, who had 19 in his return from the left groin injury that had sidelined him since Christmas. But the Nets (32-22) offered Thomas little offensive help. Nic Claxton and T.J. Warren had 17 points each, with no other Net finishing with more than eight points. They played without injured Kevin Durant and Seth Curry, as well as Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith (the players acquired for Irving). Thomas’ finger roll left Brooklyn down 112-109 with 11 seconds left, and after fouling Booker, watched the Suns star shockingly miss both free throws. The Nets — on a 14-3 run to storm back — had a chance, but Phoenix wisely fouled. While Thomas sank both attempts with 7.7 seconds to play, venerable Suns veteran Chris Paul responded by hitting both of his free throws to push the lead to three. Thomas got fouled with 4 seconds remaining, sank the first and intentionally missed the second — he finished 18-for-20 from the stripe — but the Nets couldn’t get the rebound they needed. Deandre Ayton iced it on the other end. The centre finished with 33 points and 14 boards to lead the Suns, who have won nine of 11. He shot 14 of 18 and had his way. – FROM NY POST KNICKS WIN THIRD IN FOUR The Knicks’ body of work is now complete ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, and it’s up to team president Leon Rose whether to provide this up-and-down team with a talent boost for a potential playoff push. The roller coaster remained on the upward track with Tuesday night’s hairy 102-98 win over the youthful Magic before a decidedly Knicks crowd at Amway Center. All-Star forward Julius Randle posted 22 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as the Knicks (30-26) essentially pulled even with the sixth-place Heat (29-25) in the Eastern Conference standings, although they technically still are percentage points behind and in the No. 7 play-in position ahead of the trade deadline. Jalen Brunson netted a game-high 25 points, while Immanuel Quickley buried 4 of 9 attempts from 3-point range and netted 18. RJ Barrett endured a rocky shooting night in his return from a one-game illness absence, finishing with 15 points on 5-for-16 shooting in 35 minutes. Markelle Fultz scored 21 points, Franz Wagner had 18 and rookie Paolo Banchero added 16 for the Magic, who had won six of their previous 10 games. – FROM NY POST IN BRIEF Nikola Jokic picked up a triple-double with 20 points, 16 assists and 12 rebounds in a massive 146-112 win for the Nuggets over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Denver led by 30 points after draining 49 points in the first quarter. Michael Porter Jr. top-scored with 30 points, while Aaron Gordon had 24. The Nuggets had a season high in points scored, as well as 58 made field goals and 44 assists. Claxton’s utterly vicious dunk! | 00:42 OTHER SCORES Nuggets 146-112 Timberwolves Pelicans 116-107 Hawks Grizzlies 104-89 Bulls
NBA teams to circle as Sydney gun crowned MVP; winner named after shock snub: NBL Awards
