On Tuesday night, LeBron James made history by breaking the all-time career scoring record previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He needed 36 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder to hit the feat, which he accomplished and then some.
His 38,888 points sealed the deal, and he did it in style.
LEBRON JAMES IS THE NBA'S ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER! 🏀👑 pic.twitter.com/1CuvF2Awhe
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 8, 2023
However, he might have been doing it in pain as well. According to TNT”s Senior NBA Insider Chris Haynes, LeBron has been playing with a lingering foot injury, and it might be that way for a while.
“I was told that this — talking about LeBron and durability with players over there — I was told that Tuesday game, the record-breaking game, I was told LeBron was severely struggling with that foot injury,” Haynes said on the “#thisleague UNCUT” podcast. “It’s something that’s been nagging him for a few weeks already, but it gets to a point where it just gets unbearable.”
"I was told LeBron was severely struggling with that foot injury he has [Tuesday night vs. the Thunder]… It gets to points where it just gets unbearable and he plays through it… The way it's explained to me is that might be something that lingers all season long, but it… pic.twitter.com/Q84RfAi1dX
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2023
Haynes said the 19-time NBA All-Star plays through it, of course. That showed Tuesday night, and beyond. The Lakers did sit him from time to time in order to get his deserved rest.
“The way it was explained to me is that sometimes it flares up to different sides of his foot, depending on I guess the cut, I guess, the cut, the way he plants certain times, but the way it’s explained to me is that might be something that lingers all season long,” Haynes said.
This moment between Kareem and LeBron is something special. pic.twitter.com/NygObZsn7p
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 8, 2023
James sat out Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks with what was listed as an ankle injury. He then had some imaging done.
General manager Rob Pelinka told reporters on Saturday that James’ X-rays on his foot “came back clean and good,” but still is questionable for Saturday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
If this is a big deal, LeBron’s not showing any signs of it. He’s in the midst of his 20th season averaging 30.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game. His accolades include four MVP Awards, 18 All-NBA Team selects, and did I mention those 19 All-Star Games?
