TITLE: LeBron Sets Field-Goal Record but Exits Late; Ayton, Doncic, Smart and Marciulionis Also in Lakers Headlines
SLUG: lebron-field-goal-record-injuries-doncic-tech-smart-marciulionis
CONTENT:
DENVER — LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s all-time made field-goal list Thursday night, yet the milestone came amid a 114-107 loss to the shorthanded Nuggets and a new injury concern for the Los Angeles Lakers.
James hurt his left elbow with 4:03 remaining and missed several late possessions. He described the joint as “pretty sore” and said his availability for Friday’s road game at Indiana is uncertain. “Hopefully I’ll wake up and it doesn’t feel too much worse than it is now,” the 39-year-old said. “It’s day-to-day, we’ll see what happens.”
Ayton leaves early with knee soreness
Center Deandre Ayton departed after seven minutes because of soreness in his left knee. Guard Marcus Smart said the big man attempted to continue but “it just didn’t feel right for him,” adding that recent criticism of Ayton’s effort has weighed on the 27-year-old.
Doncic one technical away from suspension
Luka Doncic picked up his 15th technical foul of the season during the fourth quarter. Crew chief Ed Malloy said the call stemmed from profanity directed at an official. Doncic hopes the league rescinds the tech, noting he heard “three other players say the exact same thing and nothing” and that he received no prior warning. An unrescinded 16th technical triggers an automatic one-game suspension.
Smart thriving in comeback season
After injury-filled stops in Memphis and Washington, Smart has re-established himself in Los Angeles. Many of his advanced defensive metrics mirror those from his 2021-22 Defensive Player of the Year campaign, according to The Athletic. “He’s played great basketball for the last five or six weeks and that starts on the defensive end,” head coach JJ Redick said. Smart owns a $5.39 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Marciulionis heads home to Lithuania
Undrafted rookie guard Augustas Marciulionis, who had been with the South Bay Lakers, bought out his G League contract to join Rytas Vilnius in his hometown. The 22-year-old said he missed “the shivers and excitement the night before a game” and felt NBA advancement this season was unlikely, prompting the move overseas.
Source: Hoops Rumors
