LeBron James Becomes Second-Most Experienced NBA Player as Lakers Triumph Over Mavericks

LeBron James Sets Another NBA Milestone

LeBron James has once again etched his name in the annals of NBA history. During the Los Angeles Lakers' decisive 112-97 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks on April 9, 2025, James played his 1,561st career game, thereby surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This achievement places him as the second-most experienced player in NBA regular-season games, following only Robert Parish who played 1,611 games.

This isn't just a testament to James' enduring skill and resilience over nearly two decades of professional basketball. His performance on the court against the Mavericks was anything but ordinary. He scored 27 points, shooting a solid 55%, while also pulling down seven rebounds, dishing out three assists, and grabbing one steal. Sure, his three-point shots were off, going 0-for-4, but he made up for it with vigorous drives to the rim, making 5 of his 6 free throws. This clutch performance was essential in helping the Lakers secure third place in the Western Conference with a solid 49-31 record.

Luka Dončić's Emotional Return and Mavericks' Efforts

Luka Dončić, who recently made a high-profile move to the Lakers, had an emotional return to Dallas. He gave the Mavericks fans a show they wouldn't soon forget, scoring an impressive 45 points, hitting 16 of his 28 shots, and showing remarkable prowess beyond the arc with a 70% success rate on three-pointers (7-of-10). He also contributed eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Despite his stellar performance, it wasn't enough for the Mavericks, who dropped to a 38-42 record, though they remain in play-in tournament contention.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis - sent to Dallas as part of the trade that brought Dončić to Los Angeles - faced off against his former team for the first time. He had a solid outing, with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Naji Marshall also stepped up for Dallas with 23 points and eight assists, but the team struggled to hold back the Lakers' strong lineup.

Looking ahead, LeBron is on the cusp of yet another record, needing just three more three-pointers to overtake Reggie Miller on the all-time list. The Lakers head into their regular-season home finale against Houston with a burst of confidence, boasting wins in three out of their last four games. The stage is set for what promises to be an exciting close to the season.