Lakers star LeBron James scores most points for 40-year-old player in NBA playoff game
Lakers star LeBron James scores most points for 40-year-old player in NBA playoff game
Show Caption
Hide Caption
LeBron James becomes only member of 50K points club
LeBron James became the only person to tally 50,000 points in the regular season and playoffs combines, and Jeff Zillgitt discusses the significance.
Sports Pulse
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has added his name to another category in the record book.
The veteran superstar scored his 35th point in Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on a 3-pointer midway through the fourth quarter, producing the highest scoring performance by a 40-year-old player in a playoff game.
James scored 22 points in the first half of the game. It was his 100th career 20-point half in the postseason.
Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar previously held the record, after scoring 32 points in Game 6 of the 1987 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. Former Laker Karl Malone scored 30 points against the Houston Rockets on April 25, 2004.
Who are the oldest players to play in the NBA playoffs?
LeBron James is not the oldest player to play in the NBA's postseason. Here are other players who have played beyond the age of 40.
43 years, 254 days — Robert Parish (May 11, 1997, Chicago at Atlanta)
— Robert Parish (May 11, 1997, Chicago at Atlanta) 42 years, 363 days — Udonis Haslem (June 7, 2023, Miami vs. Denver)
— Udonis Haslem (June 7, 2023, Miami vs. Denver) 42 years, 300 days — Dikembe Mutombo (April 21, 2009, Houston at Portland)
— Dikembe Mutombo (April 21, 2009, Houston at Portland) 42 years, 58 days — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (June 13, 1989, Los Angeles vs. Detroit)
Lakers' next game
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series on Sunday (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Rumor: Raptors high on Duke center Khaman Maluach ahead of 2025 NBA draft
Khaman Maluach is a highly touted prospect, and the former Duke center is reportedly drawing interest from several teams ahead of the 2025 NBA draft, including the Toronto Raptors. Maluach was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team, averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks on 71.2% shooting from the field in 39 games. He ranked sixth in the country in offensive rebound percentage (16.5) and 2-point percentage (75.4). The 7-footer is reportedly having a strong predraft showing and moving up boards after recently dazzling in his pro day. He has been linked to the Raptors at No. 9 and is high on their radar, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line on Substack. One thing teams seem to agree on: Duke center Khaman Maluach is largely viewed as the leading center prospect in this class. And Toronto, sources say, is among the clubs that highly value the 7-foot-2 big man who played for South Sudan's national team in the 2024 Summer Olympics. Maluach, born in South Sudan, scored in double figures 17 times, including a season-high 19 points, 10 rebounds and one blocked shot on Jan. 11 in a win over Notre Dame. He ranked third among all freshmen in the conference in double-doubles (5). Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle The 18-year-old dazzled last season with the Blue Devils, protecting the rim thanks to his size and 7-foot, 6 3/4-inch wingspan. He brings great athleticism to the position, enabling him to work in the post as a lob threat or finisher at the rim. Maluach is considered a top-10 pick, though some have him going even higher. He'll likely warrant a look by most teams drafting early on June 25-26, with the Raptors among them.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
ESPN teammate chides Stephen A. Smith as new SiriusXM Radio radio show drama continues
The list keeps growing of those annoyed by Stephen A. Smith's new SiriusXM Radio show. ESPN's Joe Fortenbaugh, who co-hosts 'Carlin vs. Joe' weekdays from 12-3 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio, called out Stephen A. Smith on Thursday over his new show that will now compete in that time slot in a back-and-forth that alternated between joking and serious tones. The exchange came on the heels of Michelle Beadle calling out Smith after the reveal that his new show would take her spot on SiriusXM, which led to her and co-host Cody Decker being fired. Advertisement 'This guy, what's with this new radio show?' Fortenbaugh asked Smith on 'First Take' on Thursday. 'You realize you're going up against me and my time slot, aren't ya? What are ya doing?' 5 Joe Fortenbaugh will now be competing against Smith. @awfulannouncing/X Advertisement Smith, whose show is set to launch Sept. 2 on Mad Dog Sports Radio, per The Hollywood Reporter, then defended his actions and attempted to play nice. 'I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sorry to hear that,' Smith said before Game 1 of the NBA Finals. 'I didn't take that into consideration, but opportunities arose, not just for me, myself, but for my production company and I couldn't turn it down. I'm sure you could appreciate that. You're a star here at ESPN, but if you ever need another job, I'm happy to bring you on board, I love you, Joe, you know that.' 5 Molly Qerim (l), Fortenbaugh (c) and Stephen A. Smith (r). @awfulannouncing/X 'First Take' host Molly Qerim then asked Fortenbaugh if she will have to choose who she's going to listen to and that's when the the latter took a dig at Smith. Advertisement 'It's not a decision. You listen to so much of this all day, do you want more of this?' Fortenbaugh said. Qerim responded: 'You're right. I'm not listening to SiriusXM radio, I got you.' 5 Qerim making her point to Smith. @awfulannouncing/X Smith didn't seem to take her remarks in a joking fashion. Advertisement 'I'm not interested in Molly listening to me, I really am not. That's not my target audience,' Smith said. 'There's a whole bunch of ladies out there that show me a hell of a lot more love than she ever would, and a whole bunch of people like Joe who would show me more love as well. I'm not worried.' Qerim then clapped back. 'I got it, your target audience is yes men and yes women, OK, not people that give you the truth,' she said. Smith retorted: 'Call it whatever you want.' 5 Smith has a new radio show coming on Sirius XM. @awfulannouncing/X This exchange adds to a week in which Smith has come under fire from Beadle since his arrival led to her exit. Beadle said she was 'blindsided' and 'really embarrassed' upon learning of the fate of her 'Beadle and Decker' show through a report, and then went after Smith. Smith will also have a second show with SiriusXM. Advertisement 5 Michelle Beadle in 2016. Scott Clarke / ESPN Images 'I don't respect him,' Beadle told Front Office Sports. 'I don't respect his work. He doesn't like me. This goes back to the Ray Rice stuff. He made some really piggish comments on the air. I responded; he got suspended for like two weeks. I think that was sort of the beginning of the end for anything. 'I just don't respect him. I think he gets things wrong all the time. I'm not talking about opinions; those can never be wrong. But factually, when you spread yourself so thin, it's hard to be right. Not a fan.' Smith attempted to distance himself from the manner in which Beadle learned of the developments. Advertisement 'I want to state for the record just so everyone knows what kind of man I am and what kind of teammate I am. I had no idea that folks did not know,' Smith said Wednesday on SiriusXM's VSiN Live program with Patrick Meagher and Dustin Swedelson prior to Beadle's Front Office Sports interview. 'I was told by SiriusXM to wait until this morning on 'The Howard Stern Show' to make the announcement. Whatever communication they had with anybody who's there, where they're staying, where they're being moved to. Who's staying, who's going or whatever. It's none of my business.'
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault Exudes Confidence With Game 2 Comments
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entering Game 2 of the NBA Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder are in a position that not many expected them to be in. Oklahoma City trails the Indiana Pacers in the series after collapsing in Game 1. More NBA news: Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals Game 1 Draws Lowest Audience in Nearly 40 Years But the Thunder will have Game 2 played on their home floor once again, and the team has been excellent in front of its fans. Oklahoma City will look to avoid going down 2-0 in the series, and they seem to be very confident entering Game 2. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault spoke about the mindset of the team entering the second game, and his comments exuded confidence. "There's no team I'm more confident in being ready to play, really in any situation than ours." "There's no team I'm more confident in being ready to play... than ours." Mark Daigneault has trust in his guys to respond in Game 2 💯👏 IND (1-0) OKC | Sunday at 8pm/et | ABC — NBA (@NBA) June 7, 2025 Daigneault understands that this series should be a battle, even though many others expected it to be a rout. Indiana has been playing lights out since the second half of the season, and they have used that face to boost the run to the NBA Finals. OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 05: Head coach Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center... OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - JUNE 05: Head coach Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game One of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. More Photo byWhile many have counted out the Pacers, the Thunder aren't one of them. Oklahoma City got a taste of that reality in Game 1, and they will look to make sure not to allow Indiana to win two straight on the road. More NBA news: Shaquille O'Neal Shares Harsh Criticism for Thunder After NBA Finals Loss Even Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn't seem too worried after the Game 1 loss. Gilgeous-Alexander spoke out about the loss and put everything into perspective for his team. "The series isn't first to one, it's first to four," Gilgeous-Alexander said after dropping a game-high 38 points. "We have four more games to get, they have three. That's just where we are." The Thunder will need to regroup in Game 2 and get back to the basics. While the defense was strong, the offense was lacking in different areas. More NBA news: Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Speaks Out Following NBA Finals Game 1 Collapse Oklahoma City was the best team during the regular season all year long, and they will likely be out to prove that fact in the next game. If the Pacers were to take a 2-0 lead in the series, it could be very tough for the Thunder to pull off the comeback. Game 2 between the teams is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 8, at 8 p.m. ET. More NBA news: Jon Gruden Makes Shocking Pick in Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals Clippers Seen as Sleeper Team to Land Former NBA MVP: Report For more on Pacers, Thunder, and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
