Online Reporter
Lakers star LeBron James became the fourth player in NBA history to record 12,000 career assists with his second helper of the first quarter during Los Angeles’s Friday home game against the Phoenix Suns.
No. 12,000 came when James collected a rebound on the defensive end and threw a long chest pass to the other end. Deandre Ayton caught the ball over the smaller Collin Gillespie and put it in the hoop with 7:49 left in the quarter.
Former Utah Jazz star John Stockton is the all-time leader with 15,806 career assists. Recently retired Chris Paul (12,552) is second and Jason Kidd (12,091) stands third.
The 41-year-old James would surely pass Kidd if he returns next season. Chances of catching Paul would depend on his health and the number of games he plays. James was averaging 7.1 assists per game entering Friday’s action and the contest marks his 59th of the 2025-26 season. For his career, James averages 7.4 assists per game.
The 22-time All-Star ended with 12 assists on the night and 12,010 lifetime. James added 28 points, six rebounds and four steals as the Lakers beat the Suns 101-73. Meanwhile, a better seed in next week’s Western Conference playoffs was on the line this morning for the Los Angeles Lakers, who host the lowly Utah Jazz in both teams’ regular-season finale.
Los Angeles (52-29) will earn the No. 3 seed with a win paired with a Denver Nuggets’ loss to the San Antonio Spurs. A victory over Utah also will clinch the Lakers’ winningest season since going 57-25 in 2010-11 during Phil Jackson’s final season at the helm.
Regardless of whether the Lakers open as the No. 3 seed against the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves or as the No. 4 seed against fifth-seeded Houston, head coach JJ Redick understands the challenge that awaits his team next week. Luka Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer at 33.5 points per game, has not played since suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain on April 2. Austin Reaves (23.3 ppg) has not played since April 2, either, due to an injured oblique.
Both stars have uncertain timetables for the playoffs, leaving 41-year-old LeBron James with a massive burden to carry. Redick is transparent about the possible postseason scenarios.
“I’m sure everybody wants to play us,” Redick said. “Let’s get that out there, like, everybody wants to play us.” Despite the ill-timed injuries, the Lakers have a strong chance to enter the playoffs on a three-game winning streak. Los Angeles has breezed past the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns in consecutive lopsided wins.
On Friday, the Lakers steamrolled Phoenix, 101-73. In doing so, they clinched home-court advantage for the first round.
“Every year I’ve been in the NBA, the goal is to win a championship,” Redick said. “When you represent the Lakers and you coach for the Lakers, that’s their goal every year. Let’s not discredit what this group did for the regular season, regardless of what happens in the playoffs. To clinch home court and win 52, possibly 53 games and deal with the amount of adversity we had, it’s a credit to our players.”— Reuters.
