DENVER – LeBron James continued to etch his name into the NBA record books Thursday night, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the league’s all-time leader in career field goals made. The Los Angeles Lakers star reached the milestone during a 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets, adding another remarkable achievement to a career already overflowing with them.
James, 39, connected on a turnaround jump shot over Denver’s Zeke Nnaji with 12.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter, marking his 15,838th career field goal and eclipsing the previous record of 15,837 held by Abdul-Jabbar since 1989. The moment was a testament to James’ longevity and consistent excellence over a 20-year career. This latest record comes nearly three years after he surpassed Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer on February 7, 2023.
A Legacy of Scoring Prowess
“Just to be able to link my name to being mentioned with some of the greatest to ever play this game has always been humbling and a pretty cool thing,” James said after the game, as reported by ESPN. “I grew up watching, reading [about], idolizing a lot of the greats, and if I ever was able to be part of the NBA, I wanted to place myself in position that I can be named with some of the greats by doing something right. So it’s pretty cool.”
The significance of this record isn’t lost on those who have followed James’ career. Although he previously broke Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record, this new achievement highlights a different facet of his all-around game – his consistent ability to put the ball in the basket. James finished the game with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, bringing his career total to 15,842 field goals.
The Evolution of a Shot
Interestingly, the record-breaking shot itself – a turnaround fadeaway – is a move James specifically worked to perfect. He revealed that it stemmed from struggles experienced during the 2011 NBA Finals when his Miami Heat team lost to the Dallas Mavericks. “It’s one of my patented shots,” James explained. “It’s something I’ve worked on throughout my career. So to be able to have that ability to make that shot is pretty cool.”
The difference between James and Abdul-Jabbar’s paths to this record is also notable. Abdul-Jabbar played in an era before the widespread adoption of the three-point shot, making his field goals primarily two-pointers. James, benefiting from the evolution of the game, has incorporated the three-pointer into his arsenal, contributing to his overall field goal total.
A Night Marred by Loss and Concern
Despite the historic moment, the night wasn’t without its disappointments for the Lakers. They suffered a 120-113 defeat to the Nuggets, a key Western Conference rival. James briefly left the game late in the fourth quarter after a fall, clutching his left elbow. He did return to the game, but the incident raised concerns about a potential injury.
Lakers coach JJ Redick, before the game, drew a parallel between James’ relentless pursuit of greatness and the enduring legacy of rock icon Bruce Springsteen. “The greatest successes of LeBron, he just keeps adding to them,” Redick said. “He plays, plays and plays again. And these greatest successes… he has an incredible catalog.”
Beyond the Record: Continued Milestones
This record is just the latest in a long line of accomplishments for James. Earlier this season, he surpassed Michael Cooper to become the fifth all-time leading passer in Lakers history. He also joined Kobe Bryant as the only other Lakers player to reach 1,000 three-pointers made. Looking ahead, James is poised to break the NBA record for most games played, currently held by Robert Parish at 1,611 games. James has played in 1,606 games as of Friday, March 6, 2026, and could surpass Parish on March 16th against the Houston Rockets, assuming continued health and participation.
The Lakers will require James to remain healthy and productive as they navigate the remainder of the season and push for a playoff berth. While the loss to Denver was a setback, the team will undoubtedly rally around their leader and his continued pursuit of excellence.
LeBron James’ impact on the game extends far beyond statistics and records. He represents a generation of basketball players and continues to inspire fans around the world. His dedication to his craft, combined with his remarkable athleticism and basketball IQ, has solidified his place as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
The Lakers next face the [Opponent to be determined – not in sources] on [Date to be determined – not in sources] at [Time to be determined – not in sources]. Fans can follow updates and coverage on the NBA’s official website and through ESPN.
