In a historic night for the NBA, LeBron James cemented his legacy by setting a new league record for most regular-season games played, while the Los Angeles Lakers secured a thrilling comeback victory against the Orlando Magic with a last-second shot. The game, which took place on Saturday night (Sunday, March 22, 2026, in the Philippines), ended 105-104, extending the Lakers' winning streak to nine games.
LeBron James Breaks Long-Standing Record
LeBron James appeared in his 1,612th regular-season game, surpassing the previous record held by Robert Parish for nearly three decades. James contributed 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in the contest, showcasing his enduring impact on the court despite not leading in scoring.
Dramatic Finish Seals Lakers' Win
According to the Associated Press (AP), the Lakers' victory was decided in the final seconds. Luke Kennard drained a three-pointer with just 0.6 seconds remaining, capping a late rally after the Magic led by five points entering the final minute. The play was set up by Marcus Smart's assist following a replay review that determined the ball did not go off James' foot after a block by Paolo Banchero, who led Orlando with 16 points.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 33 points but was assessed his 16th technical foul of the season, triggering an automatic one-game suspension unless the league rescinds it. Austin Reaves added 26 points for Los Angeles, while the Magic suffered their fourth consecutive defeat.
Kevin Durant Surpasses Michael Jordan
In another significant milestone, Kevin Durant moved into fifth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list, surpassing Michael Jordan. Durant scored 27 points in the Houston Rockets' 123-122 win over the Miami Heat, bringing his career total to 32,294 points—two more than Jordan. The game ended dramatically with Amen Thompson tipping in a rebound at the buzzer after Durant missed a potential game-winner.
Miami rallied late from an eight-point deficit and briefly took the lead after a goaltending call on Jabari Smith Jr. with 5.4 seconds left. Bam Adebayo led the Heat with 32 points and matched a career high with 21 rebounds, but Miami still dropped its fourth straight game.
Other NBA Results
Elsewhere in the league, several games highlighted the night's action:
- Oklahoma City Thunder defeated Washington Wizards 132-111.
- Cleveland Cavaliers beat New Orleans Pelicans 111-106.
- Charlotte Hornets routed Memphis Grizzlies 124-101.
- San Antonio Spurs topped Indiana Pacers 134-119.
- Atlanta Hawks downed Golden State Warriors 126-110.
- Los Angeles Clippers won 138-131 at Dallas Mavericks.
These results underscore a night of high-stakes basketball, with record-breaking performances and close finishes dominating the headlines.
