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LeBron James Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images JJ Redick Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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LeBron James Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images JJ Redick Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
JJ Redick and the Lakers have been scrambling for the secret sauce to maximize their star power. And on Thursday night, LeBron James and Austin Reaves showed exactly why they’re the go-to duo when the chips are down. After several brutal losses, these two stepped up big time at Moda Center. With Luka still sidelined, nursing a lingering calf injury, the team rallied for a 110-102 win over the Trail Blazers.
LeBron turned into a one-man highlight reel, dropping 40 points and firing eight consecutive points in the fourth quarter—talk about a late-game blockbuster performance! Reaves wasn’t far behind, lighting up the scoreboard with 32 points and proving his worth as a reliable playmaker.
After the match, JJ Redick could not stop praising LeBron. “He really just defies anything that’s normal. And not just the physical feats and the plays. It’s the mentality. He is, again he’s, I believe I saw the other day he’s a billionaire. And he’s playing on the second night of the back to the back at 40 after 22 years with every freaking record and every accolade. And the kids will say that I’m glazing him.”
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Redick continued, emphasizing LeBron‘s fierce competitiveness: “He’s one of the greatest competitors and Nate that I were talking about before the game.”
He highlighted it’s his privilege to coach him, adding, “It’s like, he’s amazing to coach. He’s, He brings it every single day. Like, I, it’s he, he sets the standard for how you’re supposed to approach this craft, and that’s to me the most incredible thing.”
Finally, Redick summed up LeBron’s relentless drive with a powerful message about his work ethic: “It’s just the mindset to do it. Get up the next day. Do it. Get up the next day do it. Over and over and over again.” While it’s insane how the 4x champion is still dropping 40 a night at age 40, he also had 11 turnovers today, a career-high. It’s something the Lakers must solve because once they play the big guns, it could cause a potential risk of losing games on a trot.
JJ Redick nonstop PRAISING LeBron 👑
“The kids will say I’m glazing him” 😭 pic.twitter.com/Q6jhy5hrEu
— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 21, 2025
The Lakers might’ve won, but they did not look good. Redick actually glazing Bron takes away from their recent problem which they discovered last match – Doncic and Bron’s chemistry issues. The lack of a dominant center might be the root of James and Doncic’s struggles to adapt to each other on the court. Things looked a little gloomy inside after their pursuit of Mark Williams fell apart. So will the 40-year-old actually solve their problems or rely on LeBron?
While James and Doncic continue to work on their chemistry, another story unfolds about how fans are on the edge of their seats. The 20x All-Star, ever the record-breaker, just added another milestone to his legendary resume.
JJ Redick is obsessed with LeBron for a reason
LeBron James never fails to turn a game into a milestone moment. On Thursday night, the Lakers superstar simply suited up and made history in a 110-102 win over the Trail Blazers. But he didn’t stop there—he capped the night with a sizzling fourth-quarter run.
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In that game, the 4x MVP surpassed Vince Carter to become the third-most game played in NBA history. Now at 1,542 games and counting, he sits just 18 games behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and 69 behind Robert Parish. If he stays healthy, he could catch Kareem during the 2025-26 season, eventually becoming the only player to compete in 23 seasons. Oh Bron, where are you going to stack all these records?
LeBron also holds the record for most postseason games at 287. In the clutch, he dropped eight straight points to swing momentum his way, and with only 5.2 seconds left, he calmly nailed two free throws—registering his 39th and 40th points of the night.
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Feb 20, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) signals to teammates during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Since turning 40 on December 30, he’s scored at least 40 points twice—a feat only Michael Jordan has matched after hitting that milestone. Remember his 42-point explosion against the Warriors on February 6? For Lakers fans, moments like these keep the magic alive and remind us all why LeBron continues to redefine what greatness looks like on the court.
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LeBron at 40: Is he still the Lakers' savior, or are his turnovers a growing concern?
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LeBron at 40: Is he still the Lakers' savior, or are his turnovers a growing concern?
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