Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden, left, dribbles around Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)LOS ANGELES – James Harden scored 23 points, Joe Harris added 21 with six 3-pointers and the Brooklyn Nets routed the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers 109-98 Thursday night for their season-best fifth straight victory.
Kyle Kuzma added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Los Angeles, which lost for only the second time in 10 games.
Los Angeles intends to be conservative with the All-NBA big man, allowing him to return to full strength before he plays again.
James was also the youngest in NBA history to 5,000 points, 10,000 points, 20,000 points and 30,000 points.