LeBron James, 38, continues to defy aging in his 21st year in the NBA.
The Lakers star had one of his best games of the season in Los Angeles’ 133-89 romp over the New Orleans Pelicans in the second semifinal of the NBA’s in-season tournament.
Earlier on Thursday, Indiana beat Milwaukee, 128-119, setting up a rematch of the 2000 Finals in the inaugural in-season tournament finals.
James was only four seasons from entering the league when the Lakers and Pacers met in those finals – the first of three consecutive championships for Los Angeles.
The way he’s playing, James might be able to lead the Lakers to a three-peat in the in-season tournament. He was exceptional against the Pelicans and not just for someone turning 39 at the end of the month.
A young, deep New Orleans team was no match for James as he scored wherever and whenever he wanted.
The defining sequence of his incredible game came in the second period when he knocked down three consecutive three-pointers to turn a 30-29 deficit into a 38-33 advantage. New Orleans would never get the lead again.
