LeBron James kept his streak of scoring 10 or more points in a game alive in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 125-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
The statistical achievement sparked widespread debate, with some accusing James of stat-padding and others coming to his defense.
Former NBA Players React to LeBron James’ Play
Among those who criticized James was former NBA player Chandler Parsons. Parsons shared his thoughts on the Lakers star keeping his streak alive with his co-hosts on Tuesday’s episode of “Run It Back.”
“This was the first time in my life I saw an older LeBron James who played and looked like his age,” Parsons said. “It was a nice gesture for JJ [Redick] to keep him in there, and he definitely was hunting for it (scoring 10 points). He was not coming out until he got it. This just felt like the first step on the way out and like, catering to his legacy instead of focusing on this season and the game that was already over. Congrats, I guess, but honestly, I didn’t love it.”
Parsons’ comments on James did not go unheard, and one of the prominent people to clap back at him was a fellow NBA alumnus: Eddie Johnson, who had a 17-year career that spanned from 1981 to 1999.
“This guy accusing someone of something is funny. Should I pull up games played,” Johnson said on X (formerly Twitter).
This guy accusing someone of something is funny. Should I pull up games played https://t.co/xmjZI0JpxM
— Eddie A Johnson (@Jumpshot8) December 2, 2025
Johnson was not the only former player to disagree with Parsons, as one of his co-hosts shared a different opinion.
“I see it different, [because] Rui [Hachimura] was still on the floor, Austin Reaves was still on the floor, [Deandre] Ayton was still on the floor. Why not LeBron be on the floor?” three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams said. “And there’s seven minutes to go, we’ve seen some weird things happen.”
He said that given the time remaining, and considering that other starters were still willing to attempt a comeback, it doesn’t qualify as stat-padding.
James reached double-figure scoring against the Suns with just under 6:50 left in the fourth quarter. The shot that kept his streak alive came on a 3-pointer that cut the deficit to 113-91. He finished the game with 10 points on 3-for-10 shooting, along with three assists.
Up next for James and the Lakers is a three-game road trip out East where they will face the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers.
