LeBron James entered Tuesday night needing 36 points to break the NBA all-time scoring record — of 38,887 points — held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The King did not disappoint.
James achieved the legendary feat in the third quarter of Tuesday’s Los Angeles Lakers game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. He secured the all-time record of 38,888 points with a nasty fadeaway.
LEBRON JAMES IS THE NBA'S ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER! 🏀👑 pic.twitter.com/1CuvF2Awhe
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 8, 2023
The moment @KingJames became the NBA’s regular season scoring 👑: pic.twitter.com/S4J77V5bg7
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 8, 2023
That was followed by the game pausing for several minutes to celebrate the record (and it concluded with a speech that featured an f-bomb), which included a very cool moment between James and Abdul-Jabbar, both Lakers legends.
This moment between Kareem and LeBron is something special. pic.twitter.com/NygObZsn7p
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 8, 2023
LeBron scored 20 points in the first half, with this impressive left-handed and-one leading to three of the points:
LeBron with the tough left-handed finish for the and-one!
He's 22 points away from the all-time scoring record. 🏀👑 pic.twitter.com/DnQzCuy23E
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 8, 2023
The sports and entertainment world has had plenty of reaction to the special record-breaking night.
Here are some of the many, many examples from Twitter of LeBron breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record:
After 39 years, the NBA has a new #ScoringKing
Salute, @kingjames. pic.twitter.com/NSJqD1kobN
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 8, 2023
Congratulations to LeBron for breaking the NBA all-time scoring record with 38,388 career points! 🔥👏🏾@KingJames
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2023
Congratulations to @KingJames on making history, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the @NBA’s all-time scoring leader.✨ #ScoringKing pic.twitter.com/UITgB9fHXR
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 8, 2023
The King is cemented at the top 👑
Congrats on the all-time scoring record, @KingJames 🏆 pic.twitter.com/aPikt4yEjk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2023
The passing of the all-time scoring crown 👑 @kaj33 🤝 @KingJames pic.twitter.com/0T2wsT8aEM
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2023
Congrats!!! @KingJames legendary stuff!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) February 8, 2023
"This is one of the greatest accomplishments in sports history."
Some of the best to ever do it congratulate @KingJames 👏 pic.twitter.com/3nNvmKVYAo
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 8, 2023
Drake congratulates LeBron 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/FptrJ8GwuN
— tav. (@TavioThrowerNBA) February 8, 2023
38,388 points at 38 years old.
On 2/7/23 with a career 27.23 PPG.
LeBron reading his career script: pic.twitter.com/dVS9wY4wh6
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 8, 2023
History. And every single shot that LeBron makes for the rest of his career will be a new record. Always a new moment.
Greatness! We’re all so fortunate have witnessed and so lucky we get to continue. pic.twitter.com/AZjfySyzGZ
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) February 8, 2023
Abdul-Jabbar set the record on 1984 and played five more seasons to boost the total. It was previously held by Wilt Chamberlain, who retired with 31,419 points.
LeBron has had a brilliant age-38 season, entering play on Tuesday averaging 30.0 points per game. He may make the record unbreakable (and especially in the load-management era of the current NBA).
Next up: neverending LeBron James vs Michael Jordan GOAT debates.
