LeBron James celebrates 38th birthday with a Jordan-esque performance
LeBron James celebrates his 38th birthday with a Jordan-esque performance. The Lakers star racked up 47 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists against Atlanta.
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"I don't want to end my career playing at this level," he fumed the night before, after another sloppy Lakers display and a 112-98 defeat to Miami. Twenty-four hours later, Lebron James showed basketball fans how he wants to end his career. On his 38th birthday, the four-time MVP shone and showed he can still compete with all of the League's new stars. He lit up the Hawks' floor, and the home crowd ended up paying homage, chanting "MVP, MVP, MVP". He is admittedly still some way off the race for the best player in the NBA, this season, but last night's performance is the kind that helps put a player at the top.
After a first quarter spent warming up, with just 2 points and 1 of 5 shooting, Lebron James moved up a gear. The Lakers veteran then scored 16, 13 and 16 in the other periods. He finished the game with 47 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. Lebron James thus becomes the fourth 38-year-old to score 45+ points in a game, after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Jamal Crawford. Thanks to the King, the Lakers end a difficult 2022 on a high with this win in Atlanta (130-121). The Purple and Gold would do well to start 2023 the same way. They play on Monday night at Michael Jordan's Charlotte.
Make way. pic.twitter.com/swZmncWzTU
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 31, 2022