Lakers and Warriors both lose as LeBron crossed the 37k points mark

(Basketball news) The Lakers' struggles continued as they lost 116-108 against the New Orleans Pelicans, LeBron became only the second man to reach 37,000 points in NBA history. For the Pelicans, Ingram scored 26 in his return from a 10-game absence as Murphy, who was drafted 17th overall in last year's draft, scored all of his 21 points in the second half and Jones, a second-round draft choice, had 16 points and a career-high six steals. For the Lakers, LeBron James hit seven 3-pointers and finished with 39 points, Malik Monk scored 23 points as Russell Westbrook scored 18 points and Dwight Howard grabbed 10 rebounds. With this result Pelicans improved their record to 32-43 and subsequently moved above the Lakers in the 9th place in the Western Conference standings.

''I've been out for three weeks, and to be back and win in this fashion with all my brothers, it's special,'' Ingram said. ''It shows we believe in each other. … When winning is the mentality good things come to you and great things came to us tonight.''

''I have no idea how I finished the game,'' James said. ''It's pretty sore right now.

''I didn't want to come out,'' James added. ''I understood how big of a game it was for us. … I just lost all explosiveness, so a lot of my game tonight was played on the perimeter after that. … I couldn't really get into the lane like I would have loved to.''

''It shows they're getting better,'' Ingram said, applauding the consistent work ethic both young players have exhibited since they arrived. ''It's showing up on the box score. It's showing up in wins. It's definitely helping their confidence out a lot.''

''We can score when we want if we continue to play the right way, which I didn't think we did in the second half,'' Westbrook said. He did not elaborate.

Blowing a lead like that in such a game ''feels like (expletive),'' James said. ''Excuse my language but that's what it feels like. I came in with the mindset and understanding it was going to be a playoff-type atmosphere, playoff implications and things of that nature. I knew that from the jump. … It feels like another wasted opportunity obviously for myself and for our team.''

The Golden State Warriors suffered a shock defeat at the hands of the Washington Wizards 123-115. For the Wizards, Kristaps Porzingis scored 23 points as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 22. For the Warriors who have lost five of its last six, Jordan Poole scored 26, Klay Thompson contributed 25 and Andrew Wiggins had 23. With this result the Wizards improved their record to 32-42 as the Warriors slipped to 48-27 and there is a possibility that the Dallas Mavericks will soon overtake the Warriors, who are struggling without Steph Curry.

''It feels good – sadly, that it's been that long,'' coach Wes Unseld Jr. said.

'I knew I was getting close. It feels great,'' Kispert said. ''I feel really good about it, but I also played a lot more games than Brad did his rookie year.''

'It looked like they were getting wide open shots from 3 most of the game,'' Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. ''I didn't like our ball pressure or our general body language in the first half. I didn't think we brought it, I didn't think we competed.''

''I'm playing terribly,'' he said. ''I've never really been on a team that gets worse when I'm on the floor and that's kind of where we are right now. Some things I can correct, some things will come with time. Just kind of is what it is.''

Also read: NBA: Hawks beat the Warriors and the 76ers thrash the Clippers

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