LeBron James just set a new NBA record by becoming the all‑time leader in games played, surpassing the previous 1611 mark. He also shared the court with his son, Bronny James, for the second time this season in a win over the Indiana Pacers.
And the Los Angeles Lakers are on a hot streak, sitting third in the West with a 47‑26 record and 10 wins in their last 11 games. Meanwhile, the NBA announced plans to expand to Las Vegas, with new franchises valued between $7 and $10 billion.
Because of the high cost, James has officially stepped back from his dream of owning a Las Vegas expansion team.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In this vacuum, the 41-year-old is opening "Buckets," a fried chicken and comfort food spot in his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He announced it on his Instagram Story on Friday.
It is located inside House Three Thirty, a community hub created by his foundation at the former Tangier complex on West Market Street and officially set to open on April 1.
However, this isn’t a typical celebrity venture like Stephen Curry's luxury restaurants. To keep it accessible for the community, a two-piece chicken meal is $15, and a large salad is $14. The restaurant also doubles as a training ground, staffed by students, parents, and graduates from the I Promise School.
"It's a special place that provides opportunities for our families to learn new skills, gain experience, and create a better future for themselves and their families," James said.
On the court, he is averaging 21 points, 6.9 assists, and 6 rebounds through 52 games. He has taken a supporting role behind Luka Doncic, who leads the NBA with 33.6 points per game.
The Lakers host the Brooklyn Nets tonight at Crypto.com Arena, with tipoff at 10:30 PM ET. James is expected to play, and if Doncic sits due to his sore left hamstring, King James will likely take over more of the ball-handling duties against the 17-56 Nets.
