On the NBA journey dedicated to Martin Luther King, LeBron James shone brightly, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to victory and setting yet another record. The national holiday provided a series of games throughout the day, culminating in the Lakers’ victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder last Monday (15). In this context, LeBron, who returned from an ankle injury that kept him out of the previous game against the Utah Jazz, demonstrated an impressive performance.
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In almost 39 minutes of play, LeBron James recorded 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists, making 12 of 20 shots, playing a crucial role alongside Anthony Davis in securing the victory. The star has reached the remarkable mark of 170 games with at least 25 points since turning 35, surpassing previous record holders Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone, who recorded 169 such performances.
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In addition to the scoring record, the LeBron James-led Lakers’ victory also highlighted his incredible longevity as an athlete. In the 2023/24 season, he limited his opponents to just 40.7% shooting from the field when he played as the main defender, being the best mark among players who contested at least 250 shots in the campaign.
At the end of the game, LeBron emphasized the importance of Martin Luther King in the history of the United States and his impact on society, expressing gratitude for playing on such a significant day. He highlighted King’s unique legacy and the universal appeal of his message of seeking continuous improvement as human beings, regardless of color, race or any other distinction. “It’s always special to play on Martin Luther King Day. I’ve done this many times in my career, and there is a feeling, above all, of gratitude. What that man represented in society was unique. His legacy will live on forever. We always try to be better as human beings. I think that’s what he preached about throughout his life. How can we be better? It doesn’t matter the color, race or anything. He is a figure not only here in the USA, but for the whole world”, he concluded.