LeBron James has eclipsed NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most regular season points scored in a career milestone.
After 20 seasons and 38,352 career points, James entered Tuesday’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder only 36 points shy of breaking the record.
With 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter, the 38-year-old Lakers great set a new career high with his 36th point on a fadeaway jumper at Crypto.com Arena.
Abdul-Jabbar, 75, who was in attendance to see James break his scoring record, presented the basketball to James.
“I just wanted to thank all of the Laker fans. You two are one-of-a-kind “James addressed the Los Angeles audience.
“Everyone who has ever been a part of this run with me over the last… 20-plus years, I just want to say thank you so much because I wouldn’t be who I am without y’all,” he continued.
With 38 points and seven rebounds in a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, James was the game’s leading scorer.
Russell Westbrook scored 27 points off the bench for the Lakers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points for the winners, while Jalen Williams added 25 points and seven rebounds.
The Lakers are 13th in the Western Conference with a record of 25-30, while the Thunder are 11th with a record of 26-28.
Tuesday’s results:
Orlando Magic – New York Knicks: 98-102
Brooklyn Nets – Phoenix Suns: 112-116
New Orleans Pelicans – Atlanta Hawks: 116-107
Memphis Grizzlies – Chicago Bulls: 104-89
Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves: 146-112
Los Angeles Lakers – Oklahoma City Thunder: 130-133