The NBA has broken two records since last night. LeBron James made history against Washington with another stellar performance and San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich now holds the only record holder for regular season wins.
LeBron James and his LA Lakers took on the Washington Wizards tonight. For the second time in less than a week, James reached the 50 point mark. Last Saturday he made 56 against Golden State, against the Wizards it was exactly 50 last night.
Thanks to James’ new shining performance, the Lakers won 122-109. At 37, LeBron James is now the oldest player in NBA history to score more than 50 points in a season.
“He’s just really good at basketball,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel opened with an understatement. “It was an incredible, fantastic performance. When he’s in that rhythm, you just have to let him play as long as possible and make sure he has enough left in the tank to finish it in the closing stages.”
Gregg Popovich will also go down in the history books
San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich has become the most victorious coach in NBA history tonight thanks to a win against Utah. The Spurs beat Utah 104–102.
Popovich had already equaled Don Nelson’s record earlier this week, with 1,336 wins in the regular season, he is now the only record holder. It was his 2,030th game for the 73-year-old Popovich in his 26th season for the Spurs, the only team he coached in his NBA career.
Typical of the ever modest Popovich was that the record was not celebrated with bells and whistles. Still, he is considered one of the greatest coaches of all time. He guided San Antonio to 5 NBA titles during his career.
This is the work of many people, not just my record. Basketball is a team sport.
“This is the work of a lot of people, not just my record. Basketball is a team sport and I’ve been lucky enough to work with many great players and coaches in my career,” said Popovich, who now outperforms Don Nelson.
“The irony is that he gave me a job in 1992 when I was unemployed. To be mentioned in the same breath with him now is inconvenient and I really don’t deserve it, because at the time he helped me save my family by to hire me.”
NBA boss Adam Silver praised Popovich. “His success with San Antonio is unparalleled in the NBA and it is striking that he is now the coach with the most wins. His leadership and unbridled dedication to the sport have inspired generations of players and coaches,” said Silver.
All results from Friday night:
- Miami – Cleveland 117 – 105
- LA Lakers – Washington 122 – 109
- San Antonio – Utah 104 – 102
- Atlanta – LA Clippers 112 – 106
- Boston – Detroit 114 – 103
- Phoenix – Toronto 112 – 117
- Houston – Dallas 100 – 113
- Memphis – New York 118 – 114
- New Orleans – Charlotte 120 – 142
- Orlando – Minnesota 118 – 110
The standings in the NBA:
