LeGOAT: LeBron James smashes NBA all-time scoring record
Lakers lose to OKC, Grizzlies, Suns, Nuggets win
LeBron James became the greatest regular-season scorer in the history of the NBA as he eclipsed Kareem AbdulJabbar’s scoring record by scoring 38 points for the Los Angeles Lakers in their defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 38-year-old added another feather to his cap in Los Angeles with all the stars in attendance.
Having started his career in 2003 with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James has managed to play at the highest level up till his 20th season in the league. The veteran is averaging 27.23 PPG in his career and has now scored 33,390 career points, three more than Kareem AbdulJabbar’s 33,387 points for the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks.
LeBron James already previously broke the all-time playoff scoring record previously held by Michael Jordan in 2016. He now has 7,631 playoff points, almost 2,000 more than Jordan, whose record was 5,987 points. He also sits in fourth place for the most assists in the history of the NBA and is regarded by many as the greatest player ever to grace the league.
Despite James’ 38 points, the Lakers lost 133-130 to the Oklahoma City Thunder with new All-star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the scoring for OKC with 30 points.
Elsewhere in the NBA, Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Chicago Bulls 104-89 with Ja Morant scoring 34 points and Jaren Jackson Jr scoring 24 points for the Grizzlies. Nikola Vucevic scored 28 points and 17 rebounds for the Bulls.
Denver Nuggets claimed a 146-112 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nikola Jokic scored a triple-double of 20 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists for the Nuggets and Michael Porter Jr scored 30 points. Anthony Edwards scored 19 points for the Timberwolves.
Phoenix Suns picked up a 116-112 win over the Brooklyn Nets in their NBA encounter. DeAndre Ayton led the scoring for the Suns with 35 points and 15 rebounds, and Cam Thomas scored 43 points for the Nets in the game, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record 40+ points in three straight games.
New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Atalanta Hawks 116-107. Brandon Ingram led the scoring with 30 points and CJ McCollum contributed 21 points. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 22 points for the Hawks.
New York Knicks picked up a 102-98 win over the Orlando Magic to improve to 30-26 for the season. Jalen Brunson led the scoring for his side with 25 points and Julius Randle recorded 22 points and 14 rebounds. Markelle Fultz scored 21 points for the Magic.
In all, it will be remembered as the night LeBron James broke the NBA record that has stood for 39 years, ensuring that his legacy in the sport can never be forgotten. He will also be in his 19th All-star game, also equalling the record held by AbdulJabbar.
