Like the previous one, the Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling this season as well. Despite having an All-Star trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook, the Purple & Gold have been getting a hard time winning games.
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Yet again, injuries have gotten the best of the team. AD, who was playing some of the most incredible basketball of his career, suffered a right foot stress injury that has kept him out for almost 3 weeks now.
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Towards the end of the calendar year, Darvin Ham’s boys had an awful 14-21 record. However, post LeBron turning 38, the California-based franchise turned things around.
Magic Johnson congratulates the Lakers for their 5-game win streak
Over the last few games, the 2020 champs have been playing some of the best basketball we’ve seen them produce in the past two campaigns. Bron and co. have gone 5-0, having defeated the Hawks, the Hornets, the Heat, and the Kings.
With their latest 136-134 win over De’Aaron Fox and co., LAL has registered their first 5-game win streak since the end of the 2020-2021 season.
Among many others, Magic Johnson is one happy Lakers supporter. The Hall-Of-Famer couldn’t contain his happiness after Los Angeles’ win over Sacramento. Lauding Bron and co. for playing fun and exciting basketball, the NBA legend congratulated the team.
This @Lakers team is playing fun and exciting basketball due to the ball movement and all of the players excelling in their roles.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 8, 2023
The Los Angeles Lakers have been shooting the ball comparatively well from beyond the arc over the last 5 games. While bringing their 37% 3FG to notice, Johnson complimented Thomas Bryant, Dennis Schroder, LeBron, and Patrick Beverly.
This 5 game winning streak is the best the Lakers have shot the basketball from the outside. Thomas Bryant, Dennis Schroder, LeBron and Patrick Beverly have been on 🔥.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 8, 2023
38-year-old LeBron James playing at an MVP level
There is no stopping the King. Even father time has been trying to do so and has been failing.
Since turning 38 years old, the 4-time MVP has taken things up a notch, averaging 38 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists per game.
How does his performance at age 38 compare to some of the game’s greatest at the same age?
With 38 PPG, Bron is 13 more PPG clear than the next 38-year-old on the list.
Most PPG by a 38+ year old:
38.0 — LeBron James
[gap]
25.0 — John Havlicek
21.2 — Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/jApwJj4EFj— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 8, 2023
Further, James has already lodged 3 35-point games as a 38-year-old, joining the likes of Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Karl Malone as the only stars to do so.
Players with 3+ 35-point games after turning 38:
LeBron James
Michael Jordan
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Karl MaloneLeBron has been 38 for less than 10 days. pic.twitter.com/lpFefLGQxO
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 8, 2023
While their 19-21 record is still pretty horrific, this 5-game streak can be the turning point for the Purple & Gold’s turbulent season.
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