LeBron James etched his name in the record books once again, becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in minutes played during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 113-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
The 39-year-old surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record of 57,446 minutes, hitting the milestone in his 57,447th minute on the court. Earlier this year, James had already broken Abdul-Jabbar’s record for the NBA’s all-time scoring title.
In the win, James contributed 19 points, while teammate Austin Reaves led the charge with 25 points. Reflecting on his historic achievement, James credited his longevity and dedication to the sport:
“It’s just a commitment to the craft and to the passion and love I have for the game,” he said. “I don’t take much time in the off-season, though I give myself a little more now.”
In a heated matchup, Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton was ejected for throwing a ball into the crowd during his team’s 101-94 win over the Toronto Raptors. Claxton’s frustration boiled over after being fouled on his way to the basket. Officials escorted him off the court after he attempted to throw a cushion.
Zach LaVine delivered a season-high 36 points, including six three-pointers, as the Chicago Bulls defeated defending champions Boston Celtics 117-108. LaVine also added six rebounds and four assists, guiding the Bulls to their third consecutive victory.
Rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama had a stellar night, dropping 42 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 133-126 overtime victory against the Atlanta Hawks. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35-point performance propelled the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-99 win over the Orlando Magic.
The Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets also recorded wins, capping off a night of thrilling NBA action.
Source: BBCS Sports.
