LeBron and Popovich enter NBA history books as records tumble
LeBron James became the oldest player to hit multiple 50-point games in an NBA season as Spurs coach Gregg Popovich became the coach with the most regular season wins.
At the age of 37, LeBron James scored 50 points in the Lakers' win over Washington on Friday, in an NBA night that saw Spurs coach Gregg Popovich become the coach with the most wins in the regular season.
After scoring 56 points in last Saturday's home win over the Warriors, LeBron James did it again on Friday against the Wizards, becoming the first Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2007 to string together two home games of 50 points or more.
With the Lakers struggling recently (just three wins in their last ten games) they lie in ninth place in the Western Conference, with a season record of (29-37).
"We missed a lot of little things, but we kept fighting, defending, and I was able to snap a streak at one point," commented James, who notably scored 12 straight points for his team in the third quarter.
With 50 points at 18/25 shooting, including 6/9 three-pointers, with seven rebounds and six assists, James just missed a record... He missed two assists to become the first player in the history of the NBA with 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists.
'Pop' top of the win charts
In San Antonio, Gregg Popovich did not miss his date with the NBA history books, thanks to the win over Utah, the 1,336th victory of his career, which allows him to surpass Don Nelson and become the coach with the most successes in the regular season.
"This record doesn't belong to me, it belongs to everyone. Basketball is a team sport. You push your players to play it together," Popovich, who has coached David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, said in a press conference.
Popovich took the reins of San Antonio in 1996 to make it a winning machine, putting five rings on his fingers (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), playing 22 play-offs in a row and being named coach of the year three times.
This season, the Spurs are fighting for a playoff berth to try to reach the playoffs: 11th in the West with 26 wins and 41 losses.
Phoenix fall
In the Western Conference, leaders Phoenix Suns fell on Friday night at home against Toronto, winning 117-112 thanks to 42 points from Gary Trent Jr and 25 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds from Pascal Siakam.
Despite this setback, the Suns still remain leaders in the West, with 53 wins and 14 losses, ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies (46-22), who beat New York 118-114 with another 37 points from their young star point guard Ja Morant.
Also in the West, the Mavericks, (5th), resumed their march forward by winning 113-110 in Houston, with Luka Doncic bagging 30 points and 14 rebounds. In other Friday night games, in the Eastern Conference, Miami won 117-105 at home against Cleveland, and the Celtics secured a 5th consecutive victory by over-powering Detroit 114-103.