Miami: LeBron James produced a milestone performance while Luka Dončić delivered a scoring masterclass as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat 134-126 on Thursday night.
James, appearing in his 1,611th regular-season game, equalled the long-standing NBA record held by Hall of Famer Robert Parish since 1997. The 41-year-old celebrated the landmark with his 124th career triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists
“Availability has always been my priority,” James said. “It’s a mental grind, but I love the game and I’m grateful to still be able to compete at this level.”
While James made history, it was Dončić who stole the spotlight with a stunning 60-point display—his second-highest career tally. The Slovenian guard exploded after halftime, scoring 39 points and finishing 18-of-30 from the field, including nine three-pointers, to power the Lakers to their eighth consecutive win.
Despite a demanding schedule that saw the team arrive in Miami in the early hours, James showed little fatigue. Initially listed as “questionable,” he began the game in perfect rhythm, making his first seven shots and continuing an extraordinary run of shooting efficiency across recent outings.
The game also marked a return to Miami for James, where he spent four seasons and won two of his four NBA championships.
For Miami, Bam Adebayo led with 28 points, while Tyler Herro added 21. The Heat, who led by as many as 15 points early on, have now suffered back-to-back defeats.
James will have a chance to break the all-time games record outright when the Lakers face the Orlando Magic next, as his remarkable 23rd NBA season continues to redefine longevity.
Source: NBA, Sportstar
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