LeBron James #23 hi-fives Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA game against the Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles, U.S., February 4, 2021. /CFP
LeBron James had 27 points, ten rebounds and ten assists, while Dennis Schroder added 21 points and the Lakers roared away in the second half for a 114-93 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.
James moved into third place on the NBA's career field goals list while recording his 96th career triple-double and his second of the season, helping the Lakers open a five-game home stand with their 11th win in 14 games.
Los Angeles finished on a 46-18 run, thoroughly clamping down on defense and cranking up its transition offense to win this rematch of the Western Conference finals in the bubble.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers gets interviewed as "Lakers Win" is shown on the big screens after the NBA game against the Denver Nuggets in Los Angeles, U.S., February 4, 2021. /CFP
Although James stacked big numbers on another score sheet, he was more impressed by his team's effort on the other end against high-powered Denver.
"We hang our hats on our defense," James said. "We're the No. 1 defensive team in the league, and we want to continue that."
However, James is not happy about the NBA's decision to hold an All-Star game amid a compressed regular season and a global pandemic.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar also knows there's no chance his presence won't be required in Atlanta next month – particularly not after his latest spectacular performance in a career that just keeps hitting new heights.
Jordan Clarkson (L) of the Utah Jazz handles the ball against a player of the Atlanta Hawks during the NBA game in Atlanta, U.S., February 4, 2021. /CFP
Also on Thursday, Jordan Clarkson sank five three-pointers while scoring 23 points and the Utah Jazz protected the NBA's best record with a runaway 112-91 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Bojan Bogdanovic had 21 points and Donovan Mitchell added 18 for Utah.
Atlanta point guard Trae Young was held out with a bruised right calf. Rajon Rondo made his second start of the season and did not score. Another starter, forward De'Andre Hunter, missed his third consecutive game due to a right knee injury.
John Collins led Atlanta with 17 points. The Hawks have lost three consecutive games and four of their last five.
"In the second half I feel like we started attacking defensively," Clarkson said. "The biggest thing that we kind of preach ... is getting the stops because that's going to fuel the offense."
Results of other NBA games on February 4:
Dallas Mavericks 116 – 147 Golden State Warriors
Portland Trail Blazers 121 – 105 Philadelphia 76ers
Houston Rockets 115 – 103 Memphis Grizzlies