LeBron James scored a season-high 47 points on his 38th birthday as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 130-121.
He also made 10 rebounds and nine assists at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The Hawks led by 15 points at half-time, but James scored 13 in the third quarter and 16 in the fourth for a Lakers side missing Anthony Davis.
James said he promised his team-mates 40 points before the game.
“I called it,” he said after completing his third game in four nights.
“I told them before the game. I had to make it happen. I didn’t even know it was three in four nights. I just knew I had to get my mind and body ready to go.
“It’s a treat to have my family here and support me on the road, on my birthday. It’s very important to me because they are the rock of everything I do – my mom and my wife and my family.”
James scored 48 points against the Hawks on his 25th birthday in 2009.
The Lakers remain third from bottom of the NBA Western Conference, while the Hawks are ninth in the Eastern.
Friday’s other NBA results
Orlando Magic 100-119 Washington Wizards
Toronto Raptors 113-104 Phoenix Suns
Milwaukee Bucks 123-114 Minnesota Timberwolves
Chicago Bulls 132-118 Detroit Pistons
New Orleans Pelicans 127-116 Philadelphia 76ers 116
Denver Nuggets 124-119 Miami Heat
Sacramento Kings 126-125 Utah Jazz
Golden State Warriors 118-112 Portland Trail Blazers
Credit: BBC Sport
Related
You must be logged in to post a comment.