(Basketball news) The Los Angeles Lakers got back to winning ways after two disappointing losses as they beat the New York Knicks 129-123. For the Lakers, James had 28 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, with the points giving him 38,299 for his career as he moved within 89 points of breaking the NBA’s career scoring record and climbed into fourth place on the assists list while Anthony Davis added 27 points and nine rebounds For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson scored 37 points and Julius Randle had 23 points and 12 rebounds. LeBron James now the only one left to catch is Abdul-Jabbar as it could happen in the next 10 days. With this result the Lakers improved their record to 24-28 but subsequently are only 4 wins away from entering into the play in zone.

“He’s just a kid who’s grown before our eyes, the last 20 years at this level, has done nothing but play the right way and make the play that’s in front of him,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of James’ accumulation of points and assists. “Regardless of how much he’s been criticized for a while for not taking the last shots and the overpassing, he’s just making the right plays. You saw that again tonight.”

“I’m going to do it. I mean, it’s just a matter of time when I’m going to do it. … I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be in this league for at least a few more years.” LeBron James on approaching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record

The Denver Nuggets extended their lead at the top of the Western Conference table as they beat the New Orleans Pelicans 122-113. For the Nuggets, Jamal Murray scored 32 points, Nikola Jokic got his 16th triple-double of the season as he scored 26 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists as the Western Conference leaders improved to 16-0 when Jokic had a triple-double. For the Pelicans, CJ McCollum and Herbert Jones both scored 21 points as they have dropped nine straight games and finished 3-13 in January. Part of the reason in the form has been the absence of standout Zion Williamson, who has missed 15 straight games with a hamstring injury. With this result the Nuggets improved their record to 35-16.

Willie Green said before the game. “He’s getting there,” Green explained. “It’s something we don’t want to rush, but we’re definitely excited to see him on the floor.”

“I’m happy as long as we are winning games and the players are happy around me,” Jokic said.

“I don’t want to be the guy that puts the fire out,” said Malone, whose team trailed by 12 in the second quarter before closing the gap to 60-57 at halftime and taking control in the third. “Jamal was really, really good in all areas of the game tonight.”

Also read: NBA: The Nets beat the Lakers while Warriors win to move 5th in the Western Conference table