LeBron James shines with six dunks as Lakers beat Houston Rockets
LeBron James delivered a 30-point masterclass featuring six spectacular dunks as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 124-116 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
The 41-year-old veteran shot 13-of-14 from the floor to help his team extend their current winning streak to a season-matching seven games.
Despite admitting to feeling his age during his post-match recovery, the four-time NBA champion looked unstoppable on the court.
“Right now, I feel like s—. But in the game, I felt pretty good,” James revealed while icing his joints in the locker room.
“I’m happy I’m able to make a few plays to help our team win.”
Defying the ageing process
According to ESPN Research, the Akron native had not recorded six dunks in a single fixture since March 2017.
Three of those slams came via alley-oop passes, equalling a career-high for the iconic forward during his 23-year professional tenure.
One particularly remarkable highlight saw the basketball legend soar to catch an errant lob from team-mate Marcus Smart before emphatically finishing the play.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves noted that his illustrious colleague remains more athletic than the vast majority of the league.
“It’s just insane to think about. It’s absolutely mind-blowing,” Reaves added.
High praise from fellow superstars
The Los Angeles franchise also benefited from another sensational outing from Luka Doncic.
The Slovenian playmaker contributed 40 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists in a dominant offensive display.
Doncic was quick to laud his veteran team-mate, describing the high-flying performance as truly impressive.
Even the opposition found themselves marvelling at the sheer longevity of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant, who managed 18 points in the defeat, insisted he is no longer surprised by such historic feats.
“He’s a freak athlete, he’s a generational athlete. I think he could play until he’s 45 years old,” the 37-year-old Durant observed.
Making history in Houston
The victory further cements an exceptional season for a Western Conference powerhouse looking to capitalise on their current momentum.
Entering the contest, the former Cleveland Cavalier ranked second across the entire association in fast-break points, trailing only Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.
He now boasts 77 dunks in just 48 appearances this campaign.
Furthermore, the majestic showing made him the first Laker to score 30 points on 90% shooting since Shaquille O’Neal achieved the feat in 2003.