LeBron James set the record for the most regular-season games played in NBA history as he helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a dramatic buzzer-beating 105-104 victory against the Orlando Magic in his 1,612th outing.
James, 41, moved one clear of Robert Parish’s 1997 record of 1,611 appearances, in a game the Lakers won when Luke Kennard scored a three-pointer with 0.6 seconds left.
“It just kind of happened. It was not on the list of things that I wanted to accomplish,” said four-time NBA champion James.
“I wanted to be the best player in this league at some point. I wanted to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, to ever play this game. I wanted to be an NBA champion.
“I wanted to possibly win rookie of the year, make All-Star appearances, win a gold medal, win some MVPs – those were some of my goals.
“But some of the stuff that’s just been happening over the course of the last few years has been super-duper cool.”
James – who is the first player to take part in 23 consecutive NBA seasons and is also the NBA’s record points scorer – contributed 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals as the Lakers beat Orlando for a ninth straight win.
The Lakers are third in the Western Conference, while Magic are eighth in the Eastern Conference.
“Availability, I’ve always wanted to be available to my team-mates,” added James.
“It’s a mental toll, trying to play a lot and being out there. I just give a lot of praise to the man above and [it’s about] just loving the game and appreciating the game.”
James was not the only player to achieve a milestone as Kevin Durant passed NBA legend Michael Jordan to go fifth in the all-time scoring list in regular-season games.
Durant moved to 32,294 – two ahead of Jordan – courtesy of a 27-point display for the Houston Rockets, who are fourth in the Western Conference, in their last gasp 123-122 win against the Miami Heat, who are ninth in the Eastern Conference.
“It means a lot,” said Durant, who passed Jordan with a three-pointer in the fourth quarter.
“I’m grateful to be here and for this incredible journey it’s been. I’m looking forward to continuing.”
Elsewhere, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 40 points for the Oklahoma City Thunder as four players were ejected in his side’s fiery 132-111 win against the Washington Wizards.
The Thunder’s Ajay Mitchell, Jaylin Williams and Cason Wallace were ejected, along with Washington’s Justin Champagnie, following a mass brawl near the end of the second quarter.
Reigning NBA champions Thunder remain top of the Western Co
