LeBron James Breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar NBA Scoring Record

LeBron James became NBA's all-time scoring leader with his 38,388th point against OKC.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stands on the court with LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers after James passed Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

Source : Getty

Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James has overtaken the long-standing NBA scoring record, held by former Lakers icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday morning (Tuesday night in the US). 38-year-old James, in his 20th season, with his 38,388th point became the NBA all-time score leader, breaking Abdul-Jabbar's 38,387 points previous long-standing record.

James achieved the NBA all-time scoring record milestone with lesser minutes played, lesser Field Goals Attempted than Showtime Lakers' Abdul-Jabbar.    

With 36 points separating James from Abdul-Jabbar's record, many expected 'The King' to overtake the NBA's all-time scoring record against Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC). James broke the NBA record in the third quarter with a stepback elbow jumper.

The historic moment was met with MVP chants from the crowd and James was joined by family and teammates at center court for a celebratory pause. 

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the former record holder Abdul-Jabbar presented James with a commemorative ball. James expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the recognition. 

After 39 years, the NBA has a new #ScoringKing

Salute, @kingjames. pic.twitter.com/NSJqD1kobN

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 8, 2023

LeBron James Speech After Becoming NBA All-Time Scoring Leader

"I just want to say thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind.

To be able to be in the presence of such a legend and great as Kareem, it means so much to me. It’s very humbling. Please give a standing ovation to the captain, please.

To my beautiful wife, my daughter, my two boys, my friends, my boys, my family, my mother, all my, man, everybody that’s ever been part of this ride with me the past 20 years, the past 20-plus years, I just want to say I thank you so much because I wouldn’t be me without you all. All your all’s help, all your all’s passion, and all your all’s sacrifices helped me get to this point.

And to the NBA, to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I always dreamed about. And I would never ever in a million years have dreamt this even better than what it is tonight.

So, f--- man, thank you, guys."