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Setting the stage this week is Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, who became the first player to reachYou do not have permission to view the full content of this post.
Log in or register now. with an early 3-pointer Tuesday in a 131-99 win against the Utah Jazz in West Group A action of the NBA In-Season Tournament.
The victory ensures home-court advantage for the Lakers in the tournament quarterfinals.
James, who turns 39 next month, followed the milestone with a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. Wednesday to the Dallas Mavericks. Still, the 21-year veteran ushers in a re-introduction to the Top 10 for a few of the league’s mainstays in the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
We knew it was just a matter of time.
A stat to know: 57.8% — That’s James’ field-goal percentage even after hitting just 47.4% against Dallas. If this holds all season, the four-time MVP would be sitting on a career-high field goal percentage at 39 years old.
Another stat to know: 73.3% — In season 21, LeBron James is registering You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. for effective field goal percentage (65.1%) and true shooting percentage (66.9%). And that success has been both about shooting in the perimeter and finishing in the paint.
James has shot a career-best 41.4% from 3-point range. But his shots in the paint have still been worth more, because he’s also shot a career-best 73.3% in the paint. (His previous high in the paint was 72.9% in 2013-14.) The percentage of his shots that have come in the paint (53%) is also his highest rate since his first season with the Lakers.
LeBron James shooting, six seasons with the Lakers
%FGA = Percentage of total field goal attempts
* Highest mark of his career
** Lowest mark of his career
Through Nov. 22, 2023
— John Schuhmann
What they’re saying: “I think he should be in the MVP race because he’s 38 years old. What person do you know at 38 that’s been doing what he does?” – Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Wood
And now, the Top 5 in the 2023-24 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 1
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 27.5 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 8.9 apg
His case: The two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP rebounded from an You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. Monday at Detroit by logging his sixth triple-double two days later at Orlando.
Still, dropping three of the last four in Denver’s current five-game road trip jeopardizes Jokic’s standing. So, he needs a strong outing Friday at Houston (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) against budding star Alperen Sengun, who is fresh off a season-high three blocks in a win over Memphis.
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 2
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 30.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 8.1 apg
His case: Leave it to Doncic and the Mavs to provide an early Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday with a nailbiter of a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 24-year-old racked up 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight dimes, including one You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Dallas blew a 20-point lead in the win against the Lakers and face an LA Clippers team Saturday (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) that will be on the second night of a back-to-back set.
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 3
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 31.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 6.1 apg
His case: The NBA’s scoring leader missed his first game of the season Wednesday at Minnesota, but the 29-year-old should be well-rested for Saturday’s game against the surging Oklahoma City Thunder (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.).
The reigning MVP poured in 32 points in each of his last three appearances before sitting due to left hip soreness that he’s battled for more than a week. Embiid still ranks among the leaders in double-doubles (10).
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 5
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 30.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 6.3 apg
His case: Behind Gilgeous-Alexander, the young Thunder ride a league-best six-game winning streak thanks to the 25-year-old notching his third 40-point game of the season on Wednesday that included a season-high 12 assists.
That’s 20-plus points in 13 of 14 games so far and 30-plus in nine outings. He’s taking advantage of every opportunity, too, sinking 42 of 43 free throws over his last five games.
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 4
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 27.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 4.1 apg
His case: The 25-year-old tallied his 5,000th career point at TD Garden to join Celtics greats Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker as the only three players to accomplish that feat.
After racking up a season-high 45 points in a loss Monday at Charlotte, Tatum was listed as questionable for Wednesday with an illness. He shook that off with a 23-point, 11-rebound performance as Boston snuffed out Milwaukee’s five-game winning streak.
The victory ensures home-court advantage for the Lakers in the tournament quarterfinals.
James, who turns 39 next month, followed the milestone with a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. Wednesday to the Dallas Mavericks. Still, the 21-year veteran ushers in a re-introduction to the Top 10 for a few of the league’s mainstays in the Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
We knew it was just a matter of time.
A stat to know: 57.8% — That’s James’ field-goal percentage even after hitting just 47.4% against Dallas. If this holds all season, the four-time MVP would be sitting on a career-high field goal percentage at 39 years old.
Another stat to know: 73.3% — In season 21, LeBron James is registering You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. for effective field goal percentage (65.1%) and true shooting percentage (66.9%). And that success has been both about shooting in the perimeter and finishing in the paint.
James has shot a career-best 41.4% from 3-point range. But his shots in the paint have still been worth more, because he’s also shot a career-best 73.3% in the paint. (His previous high in the paint was 72.9% in 2013-14.) The percentage of his shots that have come in the paint (53%) is also his highest rate since his first season with the Lakers.
LeBron James shooting, six seasons with the Lakers
| Season | FG% | FGA% | FG% | FGA% | 3P% | FGA% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paint | Mid-range | 3-point range | ||||
| 2018-19 | 62.7% | 54% | 43.1% | 16% | 33.9% | 30% |
| 2019-20 | 62.6% | 52% | 34.3% | 15% | 34.8% | 33% |
| 2020-21 | 68.0% | 47% | 36.4% | 18% | 36.5% | 35% |
| 2021-22 | 68.1% | 48% | 42.4% | 15% | 35.9% | *37% |
| 2022-23 | 65.3% | 52% | 36.4% | 17% | 32.1% | 31% |
| 2023-24 | *73.3% | 53% | 38.7% | **13% | *41.4% | 35% |
* Highest mark of his career
** Lowest mark of his career
Through Nov. 22, 2023
— John Schuhmann
What they’re saying: “I think he should be in the MVP race because he’s 38 years old. What person do you know at 38 that’s been doing what he does?” – Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Wood
And now, the Top 5 in the 2023-24 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder.
1. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 1
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 27.5 ppg, 13.1 rpg, 8.9 apg
His case: The two-time MVP and reigning Finals MVP rebounded from an You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. Monday at Detroit by logging his sixth triple-double two days later at Orlando.
Still, dropping three of the last four in Denver’s current five-game road trip jeopardizes Jokic’s standing. So, he needs a strong outing Friday at Houston (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) against budding star Alperen Sengun, who is fresh off a season-high three blocks in a win over Memphis.
2. Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 2
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 30.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 8.1 apg
His case: Leave it to Doncic and the Mavs to provide an early Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday with a nailbiter of a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 24-year-old racked up 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight dimes, including one You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.
Dallas blew a 20-point lead in the win against the Lakers and face an LA Clippers team Saturday (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.) that will be on the second night of a back-to-back set.
3. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 3
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 31.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 6.1 apg
His case: The NBA’s scoring leader missed his first game of the season Wednesday at Minnesota, but the 29-year-old should be well-rested for Saturday’s game against the surging Oklahoma City Thunder (You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.).
The reigning MVP poured in 32 points in each of his last three appearances before sitting due to left hip soreness that he’s battled for more than a week. Embiid still ranks among the leaders in double-doubles (10).
4. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 5
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 30.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 6.3 apg
His case: Behind Gilgeous-Alexander, the young Thunder ride a league-best six-game winning streak thanks to the 25-year-old notching his third 40-point game of the season on Wednesday that included a season-high 12 assists.
That’s 20-plus points in 13 of 14 games so far and 30-plus in nine outings. He’s taking advantage of every opportunity, too, sinking 42 of 43 free throws over his last five games.
5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. No. 4
You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. 27.9 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 4.1 apg
His case: The 25-year-old tallied his 5,000th career point at TD Garden to join Celtics greats Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker as the only three players to accomplish that feat.
After racking up a season-high 45 points in a loss Monday at Charlotte, Tatum was listed as questionable for Wednesday with an illness. He shook that off with a 23-point, 11-rebound performance as Boston snuffed out Milwaukee’s five-game winning streak.
