LeBron James becomes NBA’s all-time leading points scorer
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In the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, LeBron James surpassed the mark that six-time NBA MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had held for 39 years as the league’s all-time leading scorer.
James hit a fadeaway jumper from the left elbow with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter to cut the Thunder’s lead to 104-99 and send the energized crowd at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena into a frenzy. James needed 36 points to break the record before the game.
38,388 POINTS
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2023
LeBron James hits the fadeaway jumper to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer! #ScoringKing pic.twitter.com/P5LyTZAZn3
Officials stopped the game for a few minutes to recognize James on the court, where his mother, wife, and kids greeted and hugged him. James stretched his arms in delight.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver congratulated him, and Abdul-Jabbar – in attendance and clapping as James neared the record – handed him a game ball at center court.
“I just want to say thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind,” James said into a microphone before asking the crowd to honor Abdul-Jabbar with a standing ovation.
He asked the crowd to give Kareem a standing ovation.
Congrats to @KingJames of the @Lakers for becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer! #ScoringKing pic.twitter.com/kyqvL0PgLR
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2023
“Everybody that’s ever been a part of this run with me the last … 20-plus years, I just want to say I thank you so much, because I wouldn’t be me without y’all.”
James’ record-breaking feat is even more impressive given he’s widely considered a pass-first player in the league, recently claiming the fourth spot in the NBA’s all-time assist list.