LeBron James has become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 39-year record.
Los Angeles Lakers star James, 38, scored 38 points in a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 38,387.
Abdul-Jabbar, who also played for the Lakers, set the record in April 1984, eight months before James was born.
“Being able to be in the presence of a legend and as great as Kareem means so much to me,” James said.
James, who needed 36 points to break the record, did it with a fadeaway jumper late in the third quarter.
An emotional James raised both arms in celebration as Abdul-Jabbar, who was seated at court side, stood and clapped.
There was a brief break in play for an achievement ceremony, with James taking a microphone to deliver a speech on the pitch.
“Everyone who has been on this race with me over the past 20+ years, I want to thank you so much because I wouldn’t be me without you all. helped get to this point,” he said.
“And to the NBA to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed of. I never would have dreamed in a million years that it would be even better than what it is tonight.”
More soon.
