LOS ANGELES – A floating jumper, a foul and a free throw in the fourth quarter of a tight game.

With a gorgeous three-point play, the King jumped over the Big Dipper.

LeBron James' inimitable presence has already been felt in his first few weeks in Hollywood. His most impressive game for the Lakers included a bit of history when he passed Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA's career scoring list.

The superstar with no shortage of historic achievements was more excited about his success.

James had a season-high 44 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, roaring past Chamberlain for fifth place on the scoring chart and leading the Lakers to a 126-117 victory over the Portland Blazers Trail on Wednesday night.

James scored 28 points in the second half and vaulted past Chamberlain's 31,419 points on that three-point play with 3:55 to go. LeBron finished a memorable night with 31.425 points, and fell short of his 75th triple-double during his most impressive performance since joining the Lakers.

Afterward, James praised Chamberlain as "One of the most dominant forces we've had in our game, along with Shaq." One of the greatest scoring-rebounders to ever play this game. "

Los Angeles, passing Dirk Nowitzki and Chamberlain. Los Angeles, passing Dirk Nowitzki and Chamberlain. Five of the top six scorers in NBA have gone up for the Lakers – including Chamberlain, whose No. 13 hangs high above the short Staples Center.

James hit his first five 3-pointers and finished 13 of 19 from the field, reaching his latest milestone during a dominant performance that had chants of "M-V-P!" Raining down from the Staples Center crowd.

But the kid from Akron will never let it get to his head.

In fact, he will donate his jersey and the game ball to his Promise School back in Ohio.

"Anytime my name is here, I always think back to my hometown, where I come from, how far I've come," James said.

Before the Lakers Posted on June 21, 2009 at 9:20 am No comments posted by James on what's up for him. He scored 16 points in the third quarter and 12 in the fourth, never allowing Portland to make a final run during the Lakers' fourth consecutive win.

"We did a lot of nice things, but we did a lot of sloppy things tonight," coach Luke Walton said. "A lot of soft defense."

There was bad news on a triumphant night, too: After the game, Walton revealed that Rajon Rondo broke into the fourth quarter. Lonzo Ball's So-far moderate workload is likely to increase.

"It's tough," James said. "He's one of our captains, one of our leaders." "I know he'll get right to it with his rehab, but it's next man up."

Damian Lillard had 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, and CJ McCollum scored 23 in the Trail Blazers' first road loss to the Lakers since Feb. 22, 2013, ending in a nine-game streak at Staples. Portland has lost two straight to the Lakers after winning 16 in a row.

"LeBron, it was a dominant performance," Portland coach Terry Stotts said. "(Scoring) 44 points on 19 shots, it's not happening too often.

JaVale McGee scored 20 points and Brandon Ingram added 17 in the Lakers' win sixth in seven games. After a slow start, Los Angeles (8-6) is already finding its groove in its first season with James and his fellow veterans joining a young core. Los Angeles is off to its best start since the 2011-12 season.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Lillard played without restrictions on missing practice to rest his right knee. … Portland's four-game winning streak ended, but the Blazers are still on top of the Northwest Division. … Jusuf Nurkic had 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Al-Farouq Aminu scored 18 points.

Lakers: The 6-foot-5 Josh Hart blocked a dunk attempt by the 7-foot Nurkic in the first quarter. … Michael Beasley did not play, but did not play, but did not play. He has not played since Oct. 25.

HEAVY HITS

The Blazers delivered two hard fouls against James in the fourth quarter. McCollum floored James with a flagrant foul with 4:38 left, and then Nurkic appeared to make a crybaby gesture when talking to officials about it.

"LeBron's carried them," Nurkic said. "When he's making shots, outside shots, he's tough to handle."

FAMILIAR FOES

The teams are meeting for the third time in a calendar year. The Blazers spoiled LeBron's debut with the Lakers in a 128-119 win at Portland last month, but the Lakers replied by ending their 16-game skateboarding in the beating the Blazers 114-110 in the Moda Center. The clubs do not have their final meeting until the regular-season finale at Staples Center on April 9.

UP NEXT

Blazers Trail: At Minnesota on Friday night.

Lakers: At Orlando on Saturday night.