LeBron James continues to make nightly history as he leads the Los Angeles Lakers on a vital road trip in a tight playoff race. You know, regular Year 21 stuff.

On Sunday at the Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets were defeated by LeBron’s most efficient high-volume 3-point shooting effort of his NBA career. The 39-year-old made nine of his ten shots from downtown in the Lakers’ 116-104 victory.

The nine makes tied LeBron’s single-game career high and set a franchise record (minimum of 10 attempts). LeBron also surpassed Michael Jordan for the most 30-plus point games in NBA history, including playoffs.

“Nine for ten, and the ones he was shooting weren’t hitting the rim,” Anthony Davis explained. “It’s always enjoyable to watch. Most points scored in NBA history. The way he shot it tonight was magnificent.”

“He’s become a three-level scorer,” Davis explained. “When he shoots the ball like that, guys know he’s a tremendous driver, and you can’t get past his screens. Because he will shoot them. “And he will make them.”

LeBron withdrew to a standing ovation from the Nets audience (mainly Lakers fans) with 2:52 remaining and the Lakers leading by 16. He had 40 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in 37 minutes.

“It’s a really good feeling when you have it going and you’re winning,” he told reporters.

LeBron is currently hitting 41.5% from 3-point range this season, which would be a career record. At this point last year, he was shooting 30.6% from deep, his lowest mark ever.

“I have been able to be on the floor…” On non-game days, my foot feels a lot better,” LeBron remarked.

LeBron is dealing with left ankle soreness, but it does not appear to be affecting his lift like the ruptured right foot tendon he suffered last spring.

Thanks to their own strong shooting (and some Lakers’ sloppiness), the Nets briefly shifted the tide in the second half, trimming the deficit to eight with 11:42 remaining. LeBron promptly sank back-to-back three-pointers to end the rally.

“I’m just trying to continue to put my game at a point where I have no weaknesses out on the floor, especially offensively,” he added. “Tonight, I had it going from the 3-point line, and I was able to make a few in the fourth quarter.”

“The long ball in our game is definitely a momentum shifter.”

For the most part, the Lakers breezed through the 116-104 game. Anthony Davis recorded 24 points and 14 rebounds on 9-of-12 shooting. Rui Hachimura had 20 and ten. D’Angelo Russell sent a lob to Austin Reaves. They welcomed Gabe Vincent (14 minutes) back after a 46-game hiatus.

Overall, Sunday provided a welcome palate cleanser for the Lakers after their sluggish legs and subsequent frigid shooting cost them a “wasted opportunity” against the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

The Lakers (42-33) are now 3-1 on what LeBron described as a “testy” five-game East Coast road trip. They’ve won six of seven overall and are one game behind the Sacramento Kings (42-31) for eighth place in the Western Conference.

Before returning to Los Angeles, they will visit two lottery teams: the Toronto Raptors (Tuesday) and the Washington Wizards (Thursday).

“Incredible,” Darvin Ham remarked of LeBron. “Just extremely thankful that he packed the cape on the road trip.”