Denver – LeBron James continues to redefine longevity and achievement in the NBA, adding another monumental record to his illustrious career. On Thursday night, during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leader in career field goals made.
With 12.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter, James connected on a turnaround jump shot over Denver’s Zeke Nnaji – his third field goal of the game and the 15,838th of his career. This historic basket moved him past Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding record of 15,837, a mark that had stood for nearly four decades. The moment was a testament to James’s sustained excellence and dedication to the game.
“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 put myself in position that I can be named with some of the greats by doing something right. So, it’s pretty cool.”
This latest milestone arrives less than three years after James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer on February 7, 2023, with a step-back jump shot. He has since extended that record to over 43,000 career points. The consistency and durability required to reach these scoring and field goal records are unparalleled in NBA history.
The significance of this record isn’t lost on those who have followed James’s career. For context, Abdul-Jabbar’s record was established over a 20-year career, largely defined by his signature skyhook shot. James, now in his 23rd season, has achieved this feat with a more versatile and dynamic offensive repertoire. He finished Thursday’s game with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, adding eight assists and three steals despite the Lakers’ defeat.
Interestingly, James revealed that the turnaround fadeaway shot – the particularly one that broke the record – is a move he specifically developed after struggling in the 2011 NBA Finals with the Miami Heat against the Dallas Mavericks. “I mean, 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.” This anecdote highlights James’s relentless pursuit of improvement and his ability to adapt his game over time.
While the loss to the Nuggets undoubtedly stung, the night belonged to James and his historic achievement. The Lakers, despite a strong performance from James, were unable to overcome a strong start by Denver, who led wire-to-wire. However, the focus remained firmly on James’s latest addition to his already remarkable legacy.
Looking ahead, James is likewise within striking distance of another NBA record: most games played in a career. He currently has 1,606 games played, just five behind Robert Parish’s record of 1,611. If he remains healthy, James could surpass Parish on March 16th against the Houston Rockets, further cementing his place in NBA history. ESPN reported on the record-breaking night.
LeBron James’s career is a continuing narrative of breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible in professional basketball. From scoring titles to championships, and now, record-breaking field goals, his impact on the game is undeniable. As he continues to chase further milestones, fans and analysts alike will be watching with anticipation to see what he accomplishes next.
The Lakers will next face the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, March 8th, as they continue their push for a playoff berth. James’s health and performance will be crucial to their success.
