It wasn’t part of his plan , but LeBron James just cemented himself as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the coveted top spot on the record list with a 38-point game in the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma Thunder. The 38-year-old has now amassed a staggering 38,390 points throughout his 20-season career.
Needing 36 points to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 career total, James notched 20 in the first half, followed by highly anticipated 18 in the second. He also finished the game with three assists and seven rebounds in 34 minutes of play.
“It’s so surreal,” James said postgame on TNT. “It hasn’t quite soaked in just yet.”
Abdul-Jabbar sat courtside to witness the eclipse of his record and celebrated with the L.A. home crowd that erupted every time James touched the ball. The two embraced at center court following James’ record-breaking bucket in the third quarter.
James honored the six-time MVP by practicing Abdul-Jabbar’s signature “Sky Hook” shot during warmups, all while wearing headphones that had “38,388” printed on them — a number he’s had his eye on for months now.
Abdul-Jabbar reigned the scoring title for nearly four decades after passing Wilt Chamberlain’s 31,419 total on April 5, 1984, eight months before James was born. Many believed the record would never be touched.
But with plans to play NBA ball with his 18-year-old son Bronny in few years, it’s James’ record that will seem impossible to beat as he continues to add to his total. James is averaging 30 points per game this season.
Despite having through-the-roof expectations since he was drafted as the No. 1 overall pick at 18 years old, James still accomplished more than anyone ever imagined.
Four-time NBA champion, four-time Finals MVP, four-time MVP and 19-time All-Star are only a few accolades that make up his legendary resume. Yet, James feels as if critics fade his name when discussing the NBA’s best scorers.
“When they talk about the best scorers who ever played the game, my name never comes up,” James said, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe. “They have no choice now.”
