James ties Jordan’s double-figures streak

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — LeBron James matched Michael Jordan’s streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games with 41 points, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Charlotte Hornets 118-105 on Wednesday night.

James finished 14 of 26 from the field and had 10 rebounds and eight assists for the Cavaliers, who remained ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers for the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.

James matched Jordan’s 17-year-old mark against the team Jordan owns in the second quarter when he scored his 10th point on a powerful alley-oop dunk off a pass from J.R. Smith.

The 33-year-old James, who began his streak on Jan. 6, 2007, can break Jordan’s record Friday night at home against the New Orleans Pelicans.

76ERS 118, KNICKS 101: Dario Saric had 26 points and 14 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers won their eighth straight game despite losing All-Star Joel Embiid to a facial injury early in the second quarter, beating the New York Knicks. J.J. Redick scored 21 points and Ben Simmons added 13 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds for Philadelphia (44-30), which stayed a half-game behind Cleveland for third in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers, who already clinched their first playoff appearance since 2012, have the franchise’s most victories since the 2002-03 club won 48 games. Embiid departed after a nasty collision with teammate Markelle Fultz. He was ruled out for the rest of the game with a facial contusion. The 76ers said he went through concussion protocol but did not have a concussion. NETS 111, MAGIC 104: D’Angelo Russell and Caris LeVert each scored 16 points to lead the Brooklyn Nets to a victory over the Orlando Magic. Jarrett Allen added 15 points and DeMarre Carroll had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Nets, who stopped a three-game losing streak. TIMBERWOLVES 126, HAWKS 114: Karl-Anthony Towns scored a franchise-record 56 points and added 15 rebounds for his leagueleading 63rd double-double, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Atlanta Hawks. Towns was 6 of 8 from 3-point range and added four assists for Minnesota, which recovered after a disappointing loss Monday to the lowly Memphis Grizzlies. LAKERS’ THOMAS TO HAVE HIP SURGERY, ENDING SEASON: Los Angeles Lakers guard Isaiah Thomas will have arthroscopic surgery on his right hip, ending his season. The Lakers announced the decision Wednesday before their game against Dallas. Los Angeles (32-41) already is eliminated from playoff contention for the franchise-record fifth consecutive season. Thomas averaged 15.6 points and 5.0 assists in 17 games with the Lakers, who acquired him from Cleveland in February.