Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron James did what LeBron James does on Saturday as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 103-99 win over the Sacramento Kings on the road.
The game came down to the wire as the Lakers sealed the victory with a Rui Hachimura rebound off a missed 23-pointer from De’Aaron Fox, advancing the Lakers to 16-12 on the season, while the Kings fell to 13-16.
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
LEBRON JAMES IS NEARLY 40 YEARS OLD DOING THIS 😲
This stretch for the Lakers to close the quarter against the Kings 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QGZItAkFBU
James finished the night with 32 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals, shooting 13-of-24 from the field. D’Angelo Russell contributed 20 points, four rebounds and five assists.
On the other side, De’Aaron Fox posted 31 points, five rebounds and seven assists, while Domantas Sabonis added 19 points and 19 rebounds.
Fans reacted on social media as James posted 32 points just nine days before his 40th birthday on Dec. 30:
Hoop Central @TheHoopCentral
LEBRON JAMES TONIGHT:
32 POINTS
7 REBOUNDS
6 ASSISTS
4 STEALS
56% FG👑👑👑. (via @realapp_) pic.twitter.com/cPeEeovCaI
Legion Hoops @LegionHoops
LEBRON JAMES TONIGHT:
32 POINTS
7 REBOUNDS
6 ASSISTS
4 STEALS
13/23 FGHE’S ALMOST 40. 🤯🐐 pic.twitter.com/st8alUpPB9
Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 @JoshEberley
LeBron James at 40, with a casual…
32 points
7 rebounds
6 assists
4 stealsThe oldest player ever to have those numbers.
The second oldest you ask?
Oh, that’s also LeBron, back when he was 37 lol.
Ball Bound @BallBoundIG
LEBRON JAMES TODAY:
32 POINTS
7 REBOUNDS
6 ASSISTS
4 STEALS
13/23 FGTurns 40 years old this month 😳
Triple Sports News @TripleSportsNew
LeBron James finished with 32 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in 34 minutes, shooting 13-of-23 from the field in a win over the Kings.
Vitor @vpdsantoss
Lebron James. https://t.co/Murjg9A4xp
The Lakers took a narrow three-point lead heading into halftime, 56-53, as James posted 23 points with five rebounds and three assists, shooting 10-of-13 from the field. D’Angelo Russell added 14 points, while Davis struggled, posting just two points on four attempts.
Out of halftime, Fox continued his hot streak, sinking a two-pointer to bring the Kings within one. However, he missed a 7-foot attempt with 36.1 seconds remaining to tie it, leading to a Davis rebound and setting the stage for a solid victory for the Lakers.
NBA @NBA
What a 1st half for LeBron James:
23 PTS
10-13 FGM
5 REB
3 AST@Lakers lead 56-53 at the break. pic.twitter.com/A3wcspXWwn
James has surpassed legendary NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in back-to-back Kings victories. First, he passed Abdul-Jabbar for the most regular-season minutes played, logging 57,447 minutes during the Lakers’ 113-100 victory, breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s 1989 record, according to CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn.
In Saturday’s victory, James also surpassed Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leader in games with 10 or more points, reaching 1,509 games, according to ESPN.
Legion Hoops @LegionHoops
BREAKING: LeBron James is now the NBA’s all-time leader in 10+ point games 👑 pic.twitter.com/1gU8VD5AdV
The Lakers will look to extend their three-game win streak as they face the Detroit Pistons on Monday at home.
