LeBron James Stands Alone: Lakers Star Passes Kareem Abdul Jabbar to Become NBA’s All Time Scoring Leader

LeBron James Stands Alone: Lakers Star Passes Kareem Abdul Jabbar to Become NBA’s All Time Scoring Leader

Joel Reyes
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:25 PM
  • LeBron James broke the NBA’s scoring record in the game against Oklahoma City
  • Adam Silver and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar congratulated James on his achievement
  • James delivered a heartfelt speech after breaking the record, thanking his family and fans

The scoring record is now in the King’s possession.

LeBron James made history on Tuesday night, moving past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

James became the league’s scoring king after hitting a tough fadeaway jumper near the end of the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA Scoring Leader, NBA Scoring Record, Oklahoma City Thunder
LeBron James celebrates after breaking the scoring record. Image: Nathaniel S. Butler
Source: Getty Images

James started the game needing 36 points to eclipse Abdul-Jabbar’s hallowed record. He immediately went to work, scoring 20 points in the opening half to move within striking distance of Kareem’s mark.

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LeBron breaks record with jumper

LeBron continued his hot scoring in the third quarter, leading the Lakers’ rally against the Thunder. He then sent Lakers fans into a frenzy after hitting the record-breaking basket with just 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter.

The four-time MVP raised both of his hands into the air as he looked skyward following his record-breaking shot. Play immediately stopped as the league paid tribute to James’ accomplishment.

Some members of LeBron’s family, including his mother, wife, and his three kids, took the floor for a ceremony recognizing his achievement. The Lakers then played a video that was filled with highlights of the star’s legendary career on the videoboard of Crypto.com Arena.

Kareem and Silver congratulate James

Following the video presentation, commissioner Adam Silver and Abdul-Jabbar joined the 38-year-old at center court to honor his achievement.

Silver paid tribute to James, saying:

"A record that has stood for nearly 40 years. Many people thought it would never be broken. LeBron, you are the NBA's all-time scoring leader. Congratulations.”

Abdul-Jabbar then handed the game ball to James, with the two legends posing for photos.

James then addressed the fans in attendance who watched him make history.

"I just wanna say thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind. To be able to be in the presence of such a legend as great as Kareem, it means so much to me. It's very humbling. Please give a standing ovation to the captain, please ... To my beautiful wife, my daughter, my two boys, my friends ... man, everybody that's ever been a part of this run with me the last 20 years -- 20-plus years -- I just wanna say I thank you so much 'cause I wouldn't be me without y'all.

He then thanked the league in his speech, saying:

"And to the NBA, to Adam Silver, to the late-great David Stern, I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I've always dreamed about. And I would never, ever in a million years dreamt this even better than what it is tonight."

Anthony Davis picks his GOAT

Sports Brief recently reported on Anthony Davis naming LeBron James as his GOAT and not Michael Jordan.

He picked LeBron as the greatest basketball player ever because he saw him play live. Davis argued that he only saw Jordan on video clips.

With James now holding the scoring record, Davis's GOAT argument for his teammate has been bolstered further.

Authors
Joel Reyes photo
Joel Reyes
Joel Reyes is a sports editor at Sportsbrief.com with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines. He has eight years of work experience in sports writing.
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