Luka Doncic became the first player since Kobe Bryant to score 60 points in a game for the LA Lakers as they overcame the Miami Heat 134-126.
Doncic – the NBA’s leading scorer this season – has reached 30 points in eight consecutive games and got to 50 twice in his last five appearances but in hitting 60 achieved a mark that no Lakers player had managed since Bryant in 2019.
And on a night of notable marks for the Lakers, LeBron James scored a triple double with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists to move.
The game was his 1,611th regular-season outing, moving him level with Robert Parish for the most in NBA history. The all-time leading scorer in NBA history will set a new record if he features for the Lakers against the Orlando Magic on Saturday.
“He’s not only competing against the entire league but also Father Time. And he’s giving Father Time hell,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said of the 41-year-old.
Wembanyama stars as Spurs seal play-off spot; Curry honoured by Hornets
Dell Curry was honoured at half-time alongside his family [Getty Images]
Elsewhere, the San Antonio Spurs beat the Phoenix Suns 101-100 thanks to a Victor Wembanyama effort with 1.1 seconds remaining.
Wembanyama had 34 points and 12 rebounds, and his winning point secured Spurs a play-off spot for the first time in six seasons in the Western Conference.
The in-form Charlotte Hornets also continued their winning run, beating the Orlando Magic 130-111.
But the game was arguably more notable for a half-time ceremony which saw former Hornets star Dell Curry’s number 30 jersey retired.
His shirt was lifted to the rafters at the Spectrum Center as his family – including NBA all-star sons Stephen and Seth, watched on.
Meanwhile the Detroit Pistons beat the Washington Wizards 117-95 in their first game without the injured MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, and the Cleveland Cavaliers overcame the Chicago Bulls 115-110.
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