Harden's Nets beat Lakers, LeBron reaches 35,000 points

Feb. 19 (UPI) -- James Harden and Kyrie Irving led the Brooklyn Nets to an 11-point win over a short-handed Los Angeles Lakers lineup in the first matchup of the season between the All-Star filled teams.

LeBron James also reached 35,000 career points in the 109-98 setback on Thursday at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The four-time NBA MVP had a game-high 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers.

The Nets have now won five-consecutive games.

"We are really focused on making it about us," Irving told reporters on Thursday. "You could talk about individual greatness on this team, but we just want to make it about [all of] us. We just want to be a great team."

The Lakers surged ahead with 5-0 and 6-0 runs in the first six minutes. The Nets then outscored the Lakers 13-4 over the final four minutes of the frame to take a 31-24 lead into the second quarter. They never lost their advantage.

Nets forward Joe Harris then scored 13 points in the second quarter to help Brooklyn earn a 64-53 lead at the break. The Nets carried a 90-74 lead into the final frame.

Brooklyn then started the fourth quarter on a 9-0 run to push the lead to a game-high 25 points. The Lakers outscored the Nets 24-19 down the stretch, but could not overcome the overwhelming deficit.

Harden led the Nets with 23 points, 11 assists and five rebounds. Harris had 21 points and five rebounds in the win. Irving and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored 16 and 15 points, respectively, for the Nets.

Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. Montrezl Harrell chipped in 10 points off the Lakers bench.

"We just didn't play to our capabilities tonight," James told reporters on Thursday.

The Lakers played on Thursday without star forward Anthony Davis and guard Dennis Schroder. Davis has a strained right calf. Schroder was a last-minute inactive due to the NBA's health and safety protocols.

Nets forward Kevin Durant also missed the game due to a left hamstring strain.

James now has 35,017 career points, which trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928). James, Abdul-Jabbar and Malone are the only players in NBA history to score at least 35,000 career points.

Kobe Bryant (33,643) and Michael Jordan (32,292) rank fourth and fifth, respectively, on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

The Lakers (22-8) host the Miami Heat at 8:30 p.m. EST on Saturday at Staples Center. The Nets (19-12) battle the Los Angeles Clippers at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday at Staples Center.

Moments from LeBron James' career

St. Vincent-St. Mary High School senior LeBron James (L) drives around a Zanesvuille defender in Akron, Ohio, on February 14, 2003. James is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. A couple months later, the Cleveland Cavaliers coach was suspended because James worked out with the team before he graduated from high school. Photo by Tom Cammett/UPI | License Photo

James slam dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets in Cleveland, on November 5, 2003. The Cavaliers lost 93-89 in their home opener. Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI | License Photo

James keeps the ball from Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Wallace in Charlotte, N.C., on November 18, 2004. Earlier that year, James was chosen as Rookie of the Year and named to the National Basketball Association All-Rookie Team. Photo by Nell Redmond/UPI | License Photo

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (R) reaches in for the steal from James in Los Angeles on January 12, 2006. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 99-98. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

James puts in a layup over Washington Wizards Jared Jeffries in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2006. Washington defeated Cleveland 104-92. Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI | License Photo

James looks back to the bench during a timeout in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Auburn Hills, Mich., on May 9, 2006. The Pistons defeated the Cavaliers 97-91 in game two of the second round of playoffs. Later that year, James signed a three-year extension with the Cavaliers. Photo by Scott R. Galvin/UPI | License Photo

James pumps his fist during the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on March 31, 2007. The Cavaliers won 112-108 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James smiles before the game against the New York Knicks in New York City on December 19, 2007. The Knicks defeated the Cavaliers 108-90. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

James hits a long 3-point shot at the buzzer before halftime against the New York Knicks in New York City on March 5, 2008. James scored 50 points as the Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 119-105. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

The United States' Jason Kidd (L to R), James and Chris Paul celebrate a win over Spain to claim the gold medal for men's basketball during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing on August 24, 2008. The United States won 118 to 107. Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo

Coach Dru Joyce (L to R), James and director Kristopher Belman arrive at a screening of the film "More Than A Game" in Paris on September 2, 2009. The Cavaliers had finished the previous season as the Eastern Conference's top seed. Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo

James goes through his pregame ritual before playing against the New York Knicks in New York City on November 6, 2009. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 100-91. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

James shows off his second consecutive NBA MVP trophy before Game 2 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Boston Celtics in Cleveland on May 3, 2010. Photo by David Richard/UPI | License Photo

James drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on December 25, 2010. The Heat defeated the Lakers 96-80. After seven years playing in Cleveland, James signed with the Miami Heat summer 2010. Photo by Lori Shepler/UPI | License Photo

James drives to the basket during the second quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals in Chicago on May 26, 2011. The Heat defeated the Bulls 83-80. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James gets ready to play against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on April 12, 2012. The Bulls defeated the Heat 96-86 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James (L) and Miami Heat teammate Dwayne Wade stand on the court while the Heat shoot free throws against the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference first round of the NBA Playoffs in New York City on May 6, 2012. The Knicks defeated the Heat 89-87. Later that month, James won the NBA MVP Award for the third time. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

The United States' Tyson Chandler (L to R), Kevin Durant, James, and Westbrook Russell joke with teammates after receiving their gold medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London on August 12, 2012. The United States defeated Spain to claim the gold 107-100. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

President Barack Obama (R) laughs as he listens to James talk about his visit to the White House and Dwayne Wade holds an "Obama" jersey, as the Miami Heat visit the East Room in Washington, D.C., on January 28, 2013. Later that year, the Heat won their second consecutive title. Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo

James' shot is blocked by Brooklyn Nets Andray Blatche (C) and point guard Shaun Livingston (L) in New York City on November 1, 2013. The Nets defeated the Heat 101-100. Photo by Rich Kane/UPI | License Photo

James wears a jersey with his nickname, "King James," on the back against the Brooklyn Nets in New York City on January 10, 2014. The Nets defeated the Heat 104-95 in double overtime. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

James stands on the floor during a timeout against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on March 9, 2014. The Bulls defeated the Heat 95-88 in overtime. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPi | License Photo

James honors the fallen Eric Garner with a T-shirt that says "I can't breathe" as he is introduced at the start of the game against the Brooklyn Nets in New York City on December 8, 2014. ***He's back on the Cavs**** UPI/Rich Kane | License Photo

James drives the the basket as Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler defends during Game 3 the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Chicago on May 8, 2015. The Bulls defeated the Cavaliers 99-96 and lead the best-of-seven series 2-1. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James (L) and Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith laugh as they watch their teammates finish off the Chicago Bulls in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the NBA Playoffs in Chicago on May 14, 2015 in Chicago. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 94-73, winning the series 4-2 and advancing the the Eastern Conference Finals. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

James fires a jump shot over Brooklyn Nets Wayne Ellington in New York City on January 20, 2016. The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 91-78. In late 2015, James ranked in the top 25 of NBA top scorers and top assisters. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

James (L) introduces Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at a campaign rally in Cleveland on November 6, 2016. Earlier in the year, James wrote a column in support of Clinton's candidacy. Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI | License Photo

James arrives on the red carpet at the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Ceremony 2016 in New York City on December 12, 2016. James was honoredd as the 2016 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Cast member James, back left, attends the premiere of "Smallfoot" with his wife, Savannah,and their children, Bryce Maximus (L to R), Zhuri and LeBron Jr. in Los Angeles on September 22, 2018. James voiced the character Gwangi in the animated film. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

James participates in Lakers media day in El Segundo, Calif., on September 27, 2019. James joined the Lakers in late 2018. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

James continues his dribble while falling to the court against the Warriors in second quarter action in Los Angeles on November 13, 2019. The Lakers defeated the Warriors 120-94. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo

The Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James speaks during the Los Angeles Lakers' ceremony to honor Kobe Bryant before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Los Angeles on January 31, 2020. James, who is in his second season with the Lakers and passed Bryant to take third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list Saturday night, spoke about the death of Bryant to the crowd. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

James smiles during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Los Angeles on March 6, 2020. The Lakers defeated the Bucks 113-103. A couple months later, James and several other NBA stars had a private conference about how to resume the season during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Jon SooHoo/UPI | License Photo