For LeBron, another historic 40-point night in Lakers' win - ESPN

PORTLAND — Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick said his team didn't get to its hotel in Portland until nearly 3 a.m. Thursday after flying from L.A. following its game against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday night.

The prospect of playing the Trail Blazers on the road on the second night of a back-to-back with Luka Doncic out to manage his left calf injury and LeBron James questionable because of a left foot and ankle injury was daunting to Redick.

Then again, maybe Redick should have counted on James delivering the way he has done throughout his 22-year career after the 40-year-old Lakers star dropped 40 points to lead L.A. to a 110-102 win.

«He really just defies anything that's normal,» Redick said. «And not just the physical feats and the plays. It's the mentality.… He's a billionaire. And he's playing on the second night of a back-to-back at 40 after 22 years with every fricking record and every accolade.… It's like, he's amazing to coach.… He sets the standard for how you're supposed to approach this craft.»

James, when asked about his motivation to continue pushing his body through the rigorous NBA schedule when he's already accomplished everything imaginable in the sport, pointed to passing on that standard to his son, Lakers rookie Bronny James.

«I still love the game, and I still got a lot to give to the game, to give to my teammates, to give to this league for while I'm here,» James said. «I don't have much time left. So, while I'm here today in this time, I'm going to try to give what I got when I'm out on the floor.

»So, why? It's the love of the game and I have an opportunity now to show my son the ranks of how to be a professional in this league. And to be along [with] him every single day, that's a