About to write a new page in his legend, "LBJ" can become the best scorer in history ahead of "KAJ" (38,387) on Tuesday in Los Angeles against Oklahoma City.
Otherwise it will be Thursday against Milwaukee.
In the meantime, LA made a bad operation with the Pelicans who are part of their direct competitors in the race for the play-offs and remained in addition on ten defeats.
The 27 points from James (9 rebounds) were not enough, especially since his address (10/22) was not proportional to his desire to do well.
Anthony Davis, author of 34 points (14 rbds) against his former team did nothing about it either, because he did not weigh in the last quarter (2 pts only) won by Louisianans (28- 20) yet led by twelve units just before the break.
And here are the Lakers who fall back to 13th place, while the Pelicans, carried by Brandon Ingram (35 pts), recover in 10th position, three places behind Golden State winner (119-113) from Dallas, who was deprived of Luka Doncic (heel).
Brandon Ingram (#14), of the New Orleans Pelicans, shooting during the NBA game against the LA Lakers, February 4, 2023 in New Orleans © Jonathan Bachman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Concern for Curry
However, the Warriors are not hoping for a Pyrrhic victory because Stephen Curry (21 pts, 7 assists) did not finish the game, his left knee having bent on a shock with McKinley Wright in the third quarter.
Thursday in Denver, he had already hurt himself in the same place and if the X-ray passed in the locker room did not reveal any structural damage, it will be necessary to wait for the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to know the state of his ligament .
Golden States Warriors star Stephen Curry (#30), bandaged left knee, during the NBA game against the Dallas Mavericks, February 4, 2023 in San Francisco © Thearon W. Henderson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
At the very top in the West, Denver consolidated its leadership position by beating Atlanta (128-108).
Jamal Murray was prolific (41 pts at 15/24 on shots, 7 assists) and Nikola Jokic went there with his usual triple-double (14 pts, 18 rebounds, 10 assists) as indicated by his average for the season.
The Clippers climbed to 4th place, thanks to a success after overtime (134-128) which could well have escaped them at the Knicks (7th in the East).
Because NY thought it had done the hardest part by taking a three-point lead with 18 seconds remaining by Jalen Brunson, still excellent (41 pts at 14/19), after being 17 points behind.
Nets comeback
But the French Nicolas Batum, so precious in his work from the shadows (10 pts, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 2 counters), appeared in the light by equalizing at the buzzer of an award-winning banderilla.
The "overtime" smiled on his team, led by Kawhi Leonard (35 pts, 4 interceptions) and Paul George (30 pts).
LA Clippers player Nicolas Batum (#33) during an NBA game against the Houston Rockets on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles © Sean M. Haffey / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/Archives
Phoenix (5th), for its part, confirmed in Detroit (116-100) its great victory in Boston the day before, relying on DeAndre Ayton (31 pts, 16 rebounds).
In the East, the Bucks made the difference in the last quarter against the Heat, Antetokounmpo pulling out the muscles with two dunks in the last minute, to repel the final opposing assaults.
The "Greek Freak" finished with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists, his third triple-double of the season.
On his team's current seven-game winning streak, he averages 39.4 points and 14.7 rebounds.
Milwaukee (2nd) is approaching a victory over leader Boston.
Miami, where Jimmy Butler (32 pts) did not deserve, remains 6th.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (#34), star player of the Milwaukee Bucks, during the NBA game against the Heat played on February 4, 2023 in Miami © Stacy Revere / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Finally, the Nets (4th) yet deprived of Kevin Durant (knee) and Kyrie Irving, who has just asked his leaders to be transferred before the end of the transfer window scheduled for Thursday, managed to overthrow the Wizards after having yet counted 23 units behind in the first period.
A success (125-123) obtained in particular thanks to the replacement Cam Thomas, author of 44 points.
© 2023 AFP