LOS ANGELES (AFP) — LeBron James edged closer to the National Basketball Association’s all-time scoring record as the Los Angeles Lakers pulled out a thrilling 112-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday.
James scored 26 points and now needs 63 to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record.
James’ three-pointer gave the Lakers their first lead of the contest with 2:35 to play. Teammate Anthony Davis put them up 112-111 with 35.3 seconds remaining and followed up with a big block on Tyrese Haliburton as the Lakers escaped with the win.
It wasn’t the only drama on a night that saw Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and Memphis’ Dillon Brooks ejected after brawling in the third quarter of the Cavaliers’ 128-113 home victory over the Grizzlies.
In Dallas, it was injury that saw Mavs star Luka Doncic depart in the third quarter of a 111-106 victory over New Orleans after a fall under the basket left him with a bruised right heel.
Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks, fueled by 54 points and 19 rebounds from Giannis Antetokounmpo, erased a 21-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 106-105.
In Indianapolis, the Lakers looked headed for another disappointing defeat until a 21-10 run to open the fourth quarter.
Davis led the Lakers with 31 points and 14 rebounds.
Haliburton, back in action after a three-week injury absence, led the Pacers with 26 points and 12 assists.
But his drive to the basket with 16.5 seconds left was thwarted by Davis, who swatted the ball away.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham said that when Davis is playing pain free he’s “one of the more elite defenders in our league.”