Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 7, 2023. (Photo by Zhao Hanrong/Xinhua)
LeBron James has eclipsed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the most prolific scorer in NBA history, setting a new record of 38,388 points.
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James set a new NBA all-time scoring record on Tuesday night, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 39-year-old record.
With the last 14 seasons for the Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar, six-time NBA MVP, scored 38,387 points in his 20-year career.
James needed 36 points to break the NBA's all-time scoring record. With 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter in Tuesday's clash against the Oklahoma City Thunder, James got the last two points he needed with a fadeaway jumper. NBA officials paused the game for several minutes to honor James in a ceremony on the court.
Abdul-Jabbar was in attendance, witnessing James' accomplishment along with cheering crowds.
The Lakers lost 133-130 to the Thunder despite James' 38-point performance.
"Congratulations to LeBron on breaking one of the most hallowed records in all of sports by becoming the NBA's all-time scoring leader," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.
"It's a towering achievement that speaks to his sustained excellence over 20 seasons in the league. And quite amazingly, LeBron continues to play at an elite level and his basketball history is still being written," he added. ■
