LeBron James has officially become the most prolific scorer in NBA history, surpassing a record held by the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar since the mid-80s. Playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, James scored 38 points in a tight 133-130 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, allowing him to move past Abdul-Jabbar's 1989 total of 38,387 points. While the record once seemed untouchable, LeBron's achievement solidifies his place in basketball immortality. The milestone was reached in the third quarter with ten seconds left on the clock, courtesy of one of LeBron's trademark fadeaway shots.
LeBron James became the all-time leading scorer National Basketball Association (NBA), surpassing a long-standing record held by the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar since 1984. Los Angeles Lakers star James hit 38 points in a 133-130 defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 38,387 points set in 1989. The record set by Abdul-Jabbar looked unbreakable, but LeBron James breaking the record, cements his legacy in the sport of basketball forever. James’ record-breaking shot came with ten seconds left in the third quarter, lacing the ball perfectly through the net with an iconic James fadeaway shot.
The original record was established by Abdul-Jabbar in 1984, eight months before LeBron entered the world. Now 38, James has finally overtaken a mark that remained unchallenged for nearly four decades. The atmosphere was electric as LeBron celebrated emotionally while Abdul-Jabbar, attending the game at the Lakers' arena, stood to show his respect. James walked off the court with a career total of 38,390 points, adding to a legacy that already includes four NBA titles and ten Finals appearances.
Throughout his 20-year career that began in 2003, James has played 1,409 games, averaging 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. He reached this milestone faster than Abdul-Jabbar, who needed 1,560 games to reach his total. In terms of scoring efficiency, Michael Jordan still holds the record for the highest points per game at 30.1; James currently ranks fifth in that category with 27.1, trailing slightly behind Kevin Durant, who averages 27.3.
The game was briefly paused for a special ceremony to honor the achievement, where James addressed the crowd. He expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to share the moment with a legend like Kareem. LeBron also took a moment to thank everyone who supported him over the last two decades, noting that he wouldn't have reached this height without the passion and sacrifices of those around him.
In front of a star-studded crowd—including Denzel Washington, Floyd Mayweather, Jay-Z, and John McEnroe—Abdul-Jabbar symbolically handed the ball to James to recognize the new record. Reflecting on the feat, Abdul-Jabbar admitted he always believed the record could be broken, provided a player existed whom the offense could consistently rely on as the primary scoring option.