LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James became the second player in NBA history to score 38,000 career points, but Joel Embiid had 35 points and 11 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers held off the Los Angeles Lakers for prevailed 113-112, their seventh victory in nine games.
Russell Westbrook failed to get a clean shot or pass at the last second against Embiid’s defense, helping the 76ers clinch their fourth straight road win. James Harden added 24 points and 13 assists for Philadelphia, which swept the season series and beat Los Angeles for the sixth straight time.
James had 35 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for the Lakers, who have lost three in a row following a five-game winning streak.
James topped 38,000 points with a basket that was part of his 8-of-9 start, with 16 points in the first quarter. The crowd gave him a standing ovation when the milestone was announced at the ensuing timeout, and Philadelphia coach Doc Rivers hugged James laughing in celebration.
James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the only players to reach 38,000 points in the NBA, and if he continues at his current pace, James will surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points next month.
Neither team had an advantage of more than eight points in a close game.
Westbrook finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists, extending his NBA record with his 198th triple-double. Westbrook has signed four triple doubles as a substitute this season, moving him ahead of Detlef Schrempf in triple doubles as a reserve.
