In the Lakers’ second game of the season against the Suns Thursday night, Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham only intended for forward LeBron James to play 30 minutes.
James had other ideas.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer delivered 10 fourth-quarter points in the L.A’s 100–95 win, ultimately finishing with 21 points, eight rebounds and nine assists as he exceeded his minutes restriction by about five minutes.
Discussing the victory with reporters postgame, James seemingly had no regrets about running his career minutes played to 54,157 as opposed to 54,152.
“(Ham) asked me if I could go the (whole) quarter, and I looked at the time and the score and what was going on in the game, and it was an easy answer for myself,” James said.
Los Angeles, looking to avoid an 0–2 start, was down 84–72 when the fourth quarter commenced.
“I know how much work I’ve put in to be able to play quarters or whatever the case may be. And I understand that we definitely have a system put in place, but tonight called for me to go outside the box,” James said.
Unfortunately for James—now basketball’s oldest active player—and the Lakers, their schedule gets no easier in the immediate future; Los Angeles visits the Kings on Sunday.
