Without LeBron James, the Lakers struggled against the Bucks, losing 126-106 despite Luka Doncic’s stellar 45-point performance. Curry made history by scoring his 4,000th three-pointer in a Warriors win over the Kings. Meanwhile, the Wizards surprised the Pistons, led by Alexandre Sarr’s 19 points. The Spurs face setbacks with Victor Wembanyama’s potential season-ending injury and De’Aaron Fox’s upcoming surgery, while Bilal Coulibaly is likely out for weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Lakers Struggle Without LeBron as Doncic Shines
Without the presence of LeBron James, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury for an estimated one to two weeks, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a tough match against the Milwaukee Bucks. Luka Doncic stepped up remarkably, scoring an impressive 45 points, including 29 in the first half, complemented by 11 rebounds and 3 assists. His performance featured some jaw-dropping shots, going 7 of 13 from beyond the arc, including one remarkable shot taken on one leg.
However, the Lakers’ lack of depth was evident as they struggled against a formidable Bucks team, ultimately losing the game 126 to 106. Milwaukee’s offensive arsenal was led by Giannis Antetokounmpo with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists, alongside contributions from Damian Lillard (22 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists), Brook Lopez (23 points), and Kevin Porter Jr. (22 points). Once ranked second, the Lakers have now dropped to fourth place in the Western Conference with a record of 40-24 and are gearing up for a crucial matchup against third-place Denver, where they must continue to navigate the season without LeBron James while facing the challenge of Nikola Jokic.
Curry Hits 4,000 Three-Pointers Milestone
On the eve of his 37th birthday, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors made history by scoring his 4,000th three-pointer in the NBA during a game against the Sacramento Kings. This milestone came during his 1,013th career game, where the Warriors celebrated a resounding 130-104 victory. Entering the game with 3,998 successful three-pointers, Curry achieved this record-breaking shot with 8 minutes and 17 seconds left in the third quarter. After receiving a pass from Moses Moody, he skillfully maneuvered past a defender to score from the right side of the court.
Curry’s achievement solidifies his position as the all-time leader in three-pointers made, far ahead of Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden, who has 3,127, and former NBA star Ray Allen with 2,973. Since the introduction of the three-point shot in 1979, its usage has skyrocketed, particularly in the last decade, with Curry’s exceptional accuracy playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing the game.
In other news, the Washington Wizards pulled off a surprising victory against the Detroit Pistons with a score of 129-125, largely thanks to the outstanding performance of French big man Alexandre Sarr, who led the team with 19 points. This game also saw Sarr contribute 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 blocks, including a crucial block against Pistons star Cade Cunningham.
Unfortunately, the Spurs are facing challenges of their own with the potential end of Victor Wembanyama’s season due to a venous thrombosis in his right shoulder. Additionally, the Spurs will undergo surgery on guard De’Aaron Fox’s pinky finger, resulting in the probable end of his season as well. Meanwhile, another French talent, Bilal Coulibaly, is likely to miss the remainder of the season, as the Wizards announced he would be out for four to six weeks due to a right hamstring injury.