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LeBron James (left) against the Clippers
Photo: Mark J. Terrill / dpa
LeBron James took a big step towards NBA points record with another gala performance.
The 38-year-old was unable to prevent the 115:133 defeat of the Los Angeles Lakers in the city duel with the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday evening (local time), but he delighted the audience with 46 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Only 177 points away from Abdul-Jabbar
James is now just 177 points behind record holder Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
According to US media, the superstar is now the only player in NBA history to have at least 40 points against every team in the league in a game.
James spent the final minutes of the game on the bench after the Clippers held an unassailable lead.
It was the Lakers' tenth straight loss to local rivals.
The German national team captain Dennis Schröder ended the evening with seven points, Russell Westbrook had 17 and Thomas Bryant had 15 points.
For the Clippers, Paul George was the best pitcher with 27 points, Kawhi Leonard had 25 points.
Denver wins on Jokić comeback
With Nikola Jokić back on the field, the Denver Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 99-98 to cement their lead in the Western Conference.
The Serb, who was voted the most valuable basketball player in the league for the past two years, had previously missed two games.
Jokić came up with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Pelicans for a double-digit triple double in three statistical categories.
Jamal Murray also got 25 points.
In the Eastern Conference, leaders Boston Celtics conceded their second loss in a row and had to accept a 95:98 against the Miami Heat.
Bam Adebayo was the outstanding player in Miami with 30 points and 15 rebounds.
The lead over the Philadelphia 76ers is still significant.
mfu/dpa
