Overview
- Detroit won comfortably in Los Angeles, led by Cade Cunningham’s 27 points and 11 assists, while LeBron James finished with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists.
- James, now 41, is averaging 20.5 points, 6.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds on 50.7% shooting this season after missing the preseason and the first 14 games with sciatica.
- Since turning 40, he has played 57 games and scored 1,340 points, with a post-40 scoring average of 23.9 points per game that ranks first all-time.
- The Lakers have dropped six of their past 11 and held an “uncomfortable” team meeting, with coach JJ Redick saying the offense has been disorganized since James returned.
- The team marked his birthday with a video featuring Redick and teammates including Luka Dončić, while outside evaluation from an anonymous scout questioned his impact as a secondary option.