LeBron James is now the second NBA player in history to surpass 38,000-points mark, closing in on the all-time record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
In Sunday’s game, January 15, between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers, James reached the milestone with a mid-range jumper in the first quarter and went on to score 35 points.
The 38-year-old is currently 363 points away from tying Abdul-record Jabbar’s and only needed 11 points to hit the 38,000-point mark.
James’ mood wasn’t much improved, though, as the Lakers fell short in a close game 113–112.
“It’s just frustrating, getting into those positions and not being able to come out with a victory,” James told reporters after the Lakers’ third straight defeat.
He reflected on the possibility of breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s record in October 2022, prior to the start of the season.
“To sit here and to know that I’m on the verge of breaking probably the most sought-after record in the NBA, things that people said would probably never be done, I think it’s just super humbling for myself,” LeBron James said in an interview.
On social media, former Lakers players celebrated James’ new record.
Magic Johnson, a legendary Lakers player who played with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, tweeted his congrats to James while also emphasizing how challenging the achievement itself was.
“I never thought I’d see another NBA player score 38,000 points in my lifetime,” he wrote.
Pau Gasol, a former center for the Lakers who won championships with the team in 2009 and 2010, also paid homage to James.
Author-Roberta Appiah
