LeBron James 'definitely disappointed' Lakers didn't trade for Kyrie Irving
It's no secret LeBron James and Kyrie Irving wanted to team up together again – this time for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers' offer, according to SNY's Ian Begley, included guard Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick. Another report from Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes claimed the Lakers' offer included the team's 2027 and 2029 first-round picks. Now, this doesn't preclude Irving from joining James and the Lakers in L.A. after this season is over. Whether he returns to Dallas or signs elsewhere remains to be seen though, but it sounds like James would welcome Irving on the Lakers.
wftv.comDesperation does Lakers, LeBron James no good in pursuit of Kyrie Irving
The Los Angeles Lakers are desperate. Was Los Angeles really willing to let its pursuit of Irving fail for two players who cannot crack a serious playoff rotation? Or did the Nets never seriously consider an offer from the Lakers that included nobody who helps them win now? Dallas can offer Irving a two-year, $78.6 million extension through June 30 or up to four years and $198 million in July. Trading for an alternative star would remove the Lakers from consideration for any top-flight free agents, including Irving, who could still sign in Los Angeles this summer.
wftv.comLeBron's Los Angeles era, as told by coach Darvin Ham
(Editors' Note: Darvin Ham is in his first season as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a longtime NBA assistant coach and as a player helped the Detroit Pistons win the NBA title in 2004.) When I got hired to coach the Los Angeles Lakers, one of the first things that I saw was the tweet where LeBron James congratulated me. He was verbalizing it, that I have his full support and that we were going to figure this thing out, to right the ship, so to speak. And we all know he’s great.
wftv.comJames closes in on NBA record, Lakers falls to Pelicans
NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — LeBron James moved 36 points away from breaking the NBA career scoring record in the Los Angeles Lakers' 131-126 loss to New Orleans on Saturday night that ended the Pelicans' losing streak at 10 games. James had 27 points to go with nine rebounds and six assists as he continued to close in on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record total of 38,387 points. Anthony Davis had 34 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers. The Pelicans briefly closed to 61-56 when Ingram, who had 16 first-half points, hit a driving floater off the glass while being fouled by Troy Brown Jr. ... Davis was playing in his third straight game and for the fifth time in six games since missing 20 games with a right foot injury.
wftv.comLeBron James moves within 36 points of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring title, could break record on Tuesday
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar posted 27 points in a 131-126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, moving him within 36 points of breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA all-time scoring record. Whichever game James breaks the record, Abdul-Jabbar plans to be there. LeBron James could break scoring record in his next gameEven at age 38, James is scoring points at a rate that wouldn't look out of place from some of the best seasons of his career. He's on track to break Abdul-Jabbar's record in 100-plus fewer games played than his fellow Lakers great. Abdul-Jabbar reached his tally of 38,387 points in 1,560 games; the Lakers' game against the Pelicans was the 1,409th of James' career.
wftv.comJames closes in on scoring record, Lakers rally past Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — LeBron James had 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists and pulled within 63 points of becoming the NBA's career scoring champ as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the Indiana Pacers 112-111 on Thursday night. It was here in May 2021 that Russell Westbrook recorded his 181st career triple-double to tie Oscar Robertson's career mark. And it was here in December 2021 that Stephen Curry made five 3-pointers to pull within one of matching Ray Allen's career mark of 2,973. On Thursday, James became the second player in league history to top the 38,300-point mark and left town with 38,325. But the Lakers took advantage of Indiana's late fouls and the heroics of James and Davis down the stretch to come all the way back.
wftv.comJames cleared to play at Indiana as scoring chase continues
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was set to resume his NBA scoring-record chase Thursday night at Indiana after being cleared to start. James entered the day 89 points away from breaking Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s mark of 38,387. James, a 19-time All-Star, had been listed as questionable because of a sore left ankle. About an hour later, the Lakers announced the 38-year-old James had been cleared. Los Angeles heads home after a game in New Orleans on Saturday and will host Oklahoma City on Tuesday and Milwaukee next Thursday.
wftv.comMemorable LeBron James moments as he closes in on NBA record
As LeBron James closes in on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and is about to become the NBA's career scoring leader the journey has included several memorable moments. Through 20 seasons and four NBA championships, the list of James' unforgettable nights is immeasurably long. Miami won 98-79, came home to beat the Celtics in Game 7 and went on to beat Oklahoma City for James' first NBA title. THE STREAKOn May 31, 2007, James and the Cavaliers went to Detroit for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, series tied 2-2 entering what would become a double-overtime thriller. He finished with 48 points; Cleveland closed out the series with a Game 6 win and sent James to the NBA Finals for the first time.
wftv.comLakers ticket prices are skyrocketing as LeBron James nears Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record
Fans really, really want to see LeBron James break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring mark. Ticket prices are skyrocketing for Los Angeles Lakers games next week. As of Thursday, James is just 89 points shy of Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record — meaning he'll likely do so next week, barring any injury or rest. The Lakers have two home games next week, first against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday and then against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. All data from Vivid Seats (h/t CBS Sports' Colin Ward-Henninger )Lakers vs. Thunder | Feb. 7Lowest price: $326Average price: $1,152Increase from season opener: 390%Lakers vs.
wftv.comPat Riley: Kareem never had potential, 'only greatness'
Long before Riley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were winning NBA championships together as coach and player with the Showtime-era Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, they were opponents. He just had greatness,” said Riley, now the president of the Miami Heat and one of the few who has worked with both Abdul-Jabbar and James. The Lakers play Thursday in Indiana, then Saturday at New Orleans. “We have to always acknowledge those who come before us, those who’ve paved the way,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. They both turned potential into greatness from Day 1.”___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2023 The Associated Press.
wftv.comAs Kareem's run atop NBA point list ends, Pat Riley reflects
Long before Riley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were winning NBA championships together as coach and player with the Showtime-era Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, they were opponents. The Lakers play Thursday in Indiana, then Saturday at New Orleans. Abdul-Jabbar played 20 years in the NBA; James is in Year 20. Abdul-Jabbar set the record while playing for the Lakers; James will do the same. “We have to always acknowledge those who come before us, those who’ve paved the way,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.
wftv.comAs Kareem's run atop NBA point list ends, Pat Riley reflects
Pat Riley remembers just about every detail surrounding the events of Dec. 29, 1961. Long before Riley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were winning NBA championships together as coach and player with the Showtime-era Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s, they were opponents. Riley and Linton beat Power Memorial and Lew Alcindor — Abdul-Jabbar’s name before converting to Islam — 74-68 that night.
news.yahoo.comJames has triple-double, leads Lakers past Knicks in OT
James had 28 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, with the points giving him 38,299 for his career. But James' game has always been about more than scoring, as he proved again Tuesday. Anthony Davis added 27 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who had dropped two straight to open their trip. Recently acquired Rui Hachimura had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers, while Russell Westbrook added 17 points and eight assists, with three of them in OT. The Knicks missed 13 or their first 15 shots as the Lakers took a 15-5 lead.
wftv.comJames has triple-double, leads Lakers past Knicks in OT
LeBron James moved within 89 points of breaking the NBA’s career scoring record and climbed into fourth place on the assists list, finishing with a triple-double in his return to Madison Square Garden as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New York Knicks 129-123 on Tuesday night.
James back at MSG as he, Davis available to play for Lakers
NEW YORK — (AP) — LeBron James is back in the lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers for their game against the New York Knicks, his first game at Madison Square Garden in three years. James moved well during a pregame workout Tuesday and the Lakers upgraded him from questionable to available. James sat out Monday night in Brooklyn with what coach Darvin Ham said was left foot soreness, though the Lakers had officially listed the superstar forward's injury as his ankle. He hasn't played at Madison Square Garden since January 2020, missing one game because of injury and then suspended last season after striking Detroit's Isaiah Stewart in the face. He returned last week from a 20-game absence with a right foot injury.
wftv.comPacers coach Rick Carlisle says Myles Turner isn't getting traded: 'He's off the trade block'
You can stop sending those made up trade proposals on Reddit, Los Angeles Lakers fans, because Indiana Pacers star Myles Turner is not on the trade block. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle made that definitive Monday, telling Marc Stein that Turner was "off the trade block." Amid rumors Turner could be traded, he instead opted to sign a 2-year, $60 million extension with the team. That deal raised Turner's 2022-23 salary by $17.1 million, making it the largest in-season salary negotiation in NBA history. Prior to the extension, Turner, 26, was set to be an unrestricted free agent.
wftv.comFantasy Basketball Waiver Wire: Go add Jeremy Sochan in every league he's available
Priority Adds in Shallow leagues (10 teams or less):Immanuel Quickley - PG/SG, New York Knicks (44% rostered)If Quickley was dropped in haste after a couple of off nights, he's worth scooping up. He's put up at least 16 points and five rebounds in his last two outings and has a steal in three straight games. Jeremy Sochan - PF, San Antonio Spurs (39% rostered)Pick up Sochan wherever he is available. He's cooled off a bit over the past week, finishing 154th in per-game value, but he's worth grabbing if you need points, rebounds and steals from the guard position in Week 16. He's been 70th in per-game value over the past two weeks while being a reliable source of threes, points, rebounds and steals.
wftv.comReferees' union says James was fouled on controversial play
The National Basketball Referees Association said Sunday that LeBron James was fouled on the last play of regulation in the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Boston Celtics. "Like everyone else, referees make mistakes," the union wrote in its tweet. This play will weigh heavily and cause sleepless nights as we strive to be the best referees we can be." James laid the ball up with his left hand, Tatum clearly made contact with James' shooting arm, no foul was called and the game went to overtime. It’s ridiculous.”Neither James nor Davis will play in the Lakers’ next game on Monday at Brooklyn, the team said.
wftv.comLeBron James, Lakers furious after missed foul in loss vs. Celtics
Let's just say LeBron James and the Lakers weren't pleased. In the final seconds of regulation with the score tied 105-105, the Lakers had the ball and a chance to end the game. Predictably, the ball ended up in the hands of James, who drove into the paint and missed a would-be game-winning lay-up. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the officials didn't see it that way and sent the game to overtime. pic.twitter.com/FNMPBQTHox — ESPN (@espn) January 29, 2023Despite James' theatrics, he wasn't the reason the Celtics opened overtime with a free throw via a technical foul.
wftv.comBrown forces OT, Celtics snap skid by beating LA 125-121
BOSTON — (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 37 points, making a tying three-point play with 4.1 seconds left in regulation and adding 11 more in overtime as the NBA-leading Boston Celtics snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the archrival Los Angeles Lakers 125-121 on Saturday night. Brown added nine rebounds, Jayson Tatum had 30 points and 11 rebounds, and Malcom Brogdon scored 15 of his 26 points in the second half of a see-saw game that had 19 lead changes — six in the fourth quarter — and 15 ties. LeBron James had 41 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, and Anthony Davis had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Lakers. ___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2023 The Associated Press. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
wftv.comBrown forces OT, Celtics snap skid by beating LA 125-121
Jaylen Brown scored 37 points, completing a tying three-point play with 4.1 seconds left in regulation and adding 11 more in overtime as the NBA-leading Boston Celtics snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the archrival Los Angeles Lakers 125-121 on Saturday night.
Davis scores 21 points in return as Lakers defeat Spurs
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Anthony Davis scored 21 points in his return from a right foot injury, LeBron James added 20 and the Los Angeles Lakers bounced back from a rough loss to beat the San Antonio Spurs 113-104 on Wednesday night. James — who had 46 points in the Lakers' 133-115 loss to the Clippers on Tuesday night — trails Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points) by just 157 points. Los Angeles goes on a five-game road trip with their next game at home being Feb. 7 against Oklahoma City. ... Russell Westbrook, who scored 14 points, received his second Flagrant 1 foul of the season late in the first quarter. UP NEXTSpurs: Remain in Los Angeles to face the Clippers on Thursday night.
wftv.comLakers star Anthony Davis to return from 20 game absence after foot injury vs. Spurs
The Los Angeles Lakers star is set to return on Wednesday night in their game against the San Antonio Spurs, barring any setback in warmups, after missing 20 games with a foot injury, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. Davis will be on a minutes restriction, and shouldn’t play more than 24 minutes in the game at Crypto.com Arena. It’s unclear how long that minutes restriction will be in place moving forward. Davis went up with Nuggets star Nikola Jokic in the paint, and he started hopping in pain almost instantly after landing back on his feet. The Lakers went 10-10 without Davis, and leaned heavily on Thomas Bryant during that stretch.
wftv.comLeBron scores 46 points with 9 3s, but Clippers rout Lakers
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — LeBron James hit a career-high nine 3-pointers while scoring 46 points, but the Los Angeles Clippers hit 19 3-pointers of their own on the way to a comfortable 133-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night. Paul George had 27 points and nine rebounds, and Kawhi Leonard added 25 points in the Clippers' third straight win overall. The Clippers hit a season-high 15 3-pointers in the first half while scoring a season-high 77 points and jumping to a 23-point halftime lead. Russell Westbrook scored 17 points and Thomas Bryant added 15 for the Lakers. The Clippers hadn't made 15 3-pointers in a half in the past three seasons.
wftv.comLeBron James career points tracker: When will he pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA scoring record?
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is chasing the regular season all-time scoring record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Abdul-Jabbar scored 38,387 career points and has held the record since April 1984, eight months before James was born. James is 224 points from claiming the record. At this season's pace, James would set the record on Feb. 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. When will LeBron James set the scoring record?
wftv.comLakers trade for Rui Hachimura, send Kendrick Nunn, 3 second-round picks to Wizards
It looks like NBA trade season is starting in earnest. The Los Angeles Lakers traded for Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura. In return, the Lakers are sending Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks to Washington, the teams announced Monday. [ Jake Fischer: Lakers' acquisition of Rui Hachimura could limit free-agent flexibility ]The Wizards' loss is the Lakers' gain. When asked about the possibility of being traded last weekend, Hachimura seemed pretty sanguine about the whole thing.
wftv.comLakers acquire Rui Hachimura from Wizards for Nunn, picks
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired former lottery pick Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards on Monday in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and a package of second-round draft picks. The Wizards got second-round picks this year, 2028 and 2029, plus a trade exception. Hachimura has appeared in 30 games for the Wizards this season, all off the bench, averaging 13.0 points on 49% shooting. Nunn has averaged 6.7 points in 39 games this season, 37 of them in a reserve role, with wildly inconsistent contributions offensively. If he continues to improve, Davis could return during the Lakers' upcoming five-game road trip, which begins Saturday in Boston.
wftv.comLakers' acquisition of Rui Hachimura could limit free-agent flexibility
The Los Angeles Lakers are trading Kendrick Nunn and three second-round picks to the Washington Wizards for forward Rui Hachimura, league sources confirmed to Yahoo Sports, in a deal that will certainly bolster the Lakers now, but also limit the franchise’s flexibility later, particularly any starry ideas for this upcoming free agency. And over Sunday and Monday, the Lakers and Wizards began a viable dialogue that led to the final trade package, which was first reported by ESPN. Washington had told several teams it sought a first-round pick for Hachimura, sources said. The Lakers don’t make this deal without the intention of re-signing Hachimura this summer. The Wizards will also receive a 2029 second-round pick from the Lakers plus the less favorable of the Lakers’ 2028 second or Washington’s own 2028 second, sources said.
wftv.comAP source: Lakers acquiring Rui Hachimura from Wizards
The Los Angeles Lakers are acquiring former lottery pick Rui Hachimura from the Washington Wizards in exchange for Kendrick Nunn and a package of second-round draft picks, a person familiar with the negotiations said Monday. Hachimura and the Wizards did not agree on a rookie extension before the season started, which prompted speculation that the Japanese power forward wouldn’t be in their long-term plans. “I just want to be somewhere that wants me as a basketball player,” Hachimura told reporters last week. Nunn is in his fourth NBA season, his second with the Lakers, though he missed all of last season with a knee problem. He has averaged 6.7 points in 39 games this season, 37 of them in a reserve role.
wftv.comLakers reportedly trade for Rui Hachimura, send Kendrick Nunn, 3 second-round picks to Wizards
It looks like NBA trade season is starting in earnest. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojanrowski, the Los Angeles Lakers have traded for Washington Wizards forward Rui Hachimura. In return, the Lakers are reportedly sending back Kendrick Nunn and three second-round draft picks. Finalized deal: Rui Hachimura for Kendrick Nunn, 2023 second via Chicago, 2029 LA second and and less favorable of 2028 Washington/LA seconds, sources tell ESPN. In what was his final game for the Wizards, Hachimura put up 30 points in a win over the Orlando Magic.
wftv.comLakers rally to snap Grizzlies' winning streak at 11 games
LOS ANGELES — (AP) — Dennis Schroeder completed a three-point play with 7.6 seconds after a steal and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat Memphis 122-121 on Friday night, snapping the Grizzlies' winning streak at 11. The Lakers trailed 114-107 before outscoring the Grizzlies 15-7 the rest of the way. Bane got the offensive rebound, but lost control of it to give the Lakers possession with 0.4 seconds left. Russell Westbrook led the Lakers with 29 points and LeBron James added 23. Morant had 14 points in the third quarter and the Grizzlies had a 13-point lead late in the period.
wftv.comFox's Shannon Sharpe sparks altercation with Grizzlies, Tee Morant after heckling Dillon Brooks
Sharpe was sitting courtside at the game when the altercation started just before halftime. Both Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks were seen talking at Sharpe while they started walking off the court, but then things quickly erupted. Tee Morant was seen coming up to Sharpe and the larger altercation from the side, and the two had to be separated by security. Sharpe told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin that the fight first started after Sharpe told Brooks he “was too small to guard LeBron [James].”"They didn't want this smoke, Dave," Sharpe told ESPN. It's not exactly clear why Sharpe started heckling Brooks in the first place.
wftv.comLeBron James reminded he's really old by Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr.: 'You played against my dad'
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been a member of the NBA for a long time. That's exactly what happened during Monday's game, when Houston Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. told James he played against Smith's dad. Smith can be heard telling James, "You played against my dad your first NBA game ever." When asked about the moment, Smith Sr. told Rockets reporter Vanessa Richardson it was "unbelievable" to watch his son take on James. All three of those figures are better than James' rookie season averages, when he squared off against Smith's father.
wftv.comLeBron drops 48, Lakers beat Rockets 140-132 to snap skid
James scored 40 points for the 72nd time in the regular season during his 20-year career. Kendrick Nunn had 15 points for the Lakers, who have won six of nine overall despite a thin roster. James scored 11 of his 18 first-half points in the second quarter, and Los Angeles led 73-61 at halftime. His father was a member of the Kings when James played his first NBA game in Sacramento nearly 20 years ago. ... Lonnie Walker (left knee tendinitis) missed his ninth straight game.
wftv.com76ers recover in OT after blown lead to beat Lakers 133-122
Joel Embiid had 38 points and 12 rebounds, De’Anthony Melton scored a career-high 33 points off the bench and the Philadelphia 76ers recovered after blowing a nine-point lead in the final 30 seconds of regulation to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 133-122 in overtime.
Garland, Mitchell lead Cavs past Lakers to 8th straight win
Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points and Darius Garland added 24 in the dynamic Cleveland backcourt’s return from injury absences, and the Cavaliers rolled past LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers 114-100 for their eighth consecutive victory.