Scoreboard
Heat 100, Cavaliers 97
Lakers 129, Knicks 123
Clippers 108, Bulls 103
Bucks 124, Hornets 115
Nuggets 122, Pelicans 113
What went down
Ever since Michael Jordan made it imperative to put on a show when he visited the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, we've been treated to countless legendary performances by legendary players in New York.
Today, LeBron James added to his MSG resumé, helping the Los Angeles Lakers win an important road game. The King had a triple-double of 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
LeBron finds Rui for the jam! 🔨
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2023
👑: 20 PTS, 8 REB, 10 AST
Lakers lead 101-96 on TNT. pic.twitter.com/XsdMq0Dy4h
In one game, LeBron reached several milestones. At 38 years old, he became the oldest player to record a 20-point triple-double. He also became the first player in year 20 or later of their career to reach a triple-double. Most impressive was him passing Steve Nash for fourth in career assists.
The top three on that list are John Stockton, Jason Kidd, and Chris Paul. Right below LeBron are Nash and Mark Jackson. For a six-foot-eight forward to join a list of legendary point guards should boggle the mind.
But since this is LeBron and he’s done so many other ridiculous things, we take his greatness for granted, just a little bit. It’s hard to pay attention to all the history he just made when he’s about to become the league’s all-time regular season scoring leader in a few days.
At the rate he’s going, LeBron is set to break the record next week against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers have games against the Indiana Pacers then the New Orleans Pelicans before that, and since they’re sitting at 13th in the West with a 24-28 record, they'll need LeBron to keep his historic pace going and keep leading them to wins.
The Knicks, on the other hand, have been up-and-down lately, but they’re still at seventh in the East with a 27-25 record.
Big-time baller
The reigning, two-time MVP continues to add to his case for a third straight year on the throne. Nikola Jokic had another triple-double of 26 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists to lead the Denver Nuggets to a win over the Pelicans.
Jokic goes coast-to-coast and finishes with a finger roll 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2023
He's got 22 PTS, 15 REB, and 13 AST as the Nuggets lead by 6 on TNT. pic.twitter.com/kL4WBmKEbp
Though Joel Embiid has made some waves lately, Jokic still has the best statistical case for MVP as he leads the Nuggets in points, rebounds, assists, and steals. He also has all the advanced metrics behind him – the type of stats that are easy to confirm with the eye test.
What he said
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t sound too enthusiastic about getting to coach in the All-Star game.
What does coaching in the All-Star Game mean to Joe Mazzulla?
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 31, 2023
"Nothing."
He did say he's really happy for his staff and believes it will be a great experience for their families too.
What does Joe Mazzulla think of the new decision to pick teams right before the game?
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) January 31, 2023
"I don't care."
So then how do you coach that?
"You don't."
Stand there and look pretty?
"Yeah, I don't care about those."
Did you see that?
The trade deadline is right around the corner and things are getting spicy around the league. Bones Hyland drew some attention yesterday when some internet detectives saw how he unfollowed the Denver Nuggets and removed any mention of the team from his socials.
Bones Hyland removed Denver Nuggets Point Guard from his bio and unfollowed them on twitter
— ?? (@BolWrld) January 31, 2023
It might be over 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/70cRXB1gjz
He later followed the team back on Twitter. Though the fire was put out, it doesn’t mean no one saw the smoke.
