Oklahoma City Thunder v Los Angeles Lakers LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 07: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a picture with his family at the end of the game, (L-R) Bronny James, Bryce James, Zhuri James Savannah James and Gloria James, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Abdul-Jabbar's career total of 38,387 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena on February 07, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LeBron James added another W to his NBA career resume after surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar‘s scoring record during Tuesday’s game. The Los Angeles Lakers player was up against Oklahoma City Thunder and started the game with 38,352 points. He was only 36 points away from one-upping Kareem’s 38,387 points.
LeBron surpassed Kareem’s record by one point with only 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter, per CNN Sports. As he celebrated the moment on the court, the crowd inside the Crypto.com Arena went wild and referees paused the game to let James celebrate his moment alongside his wife Savannah James, their three children, and his mother Gloria James.
LeBron later described what breaking the record felt like:
Everything just stopped. It gave me an opportunity to embrace it and look around seeing my family, the fans, my friends. It was pretty cool. I probably can count on my hands how many times I have cried in 20 years, either in happiness or in defeat. So that moment was one of them when I kind of tears up a little bit. It was ‘I can’t believe what’s going on tears.’
Bron even asked for a standing ovation for Kareem, who was in the audience and reportedly clapping ahead of LeBron’s record-breaking moment. They embraced on the court. The former NBA player and six-time MVP held his record for 39 years before Tuesday night.
Though the Lakers lost 133-130, LeBron is now three points ahead of Abdul-Jabbar’s record after scoring two additional points in the fourth quarter. That’s 38,390 points total over 20 seasons and 1,410 games for James.
Tuesday’s game was a star-studded event. From former NBA champs like Kareem to entertainers like Usher and boxing champ Floyd Mayweather, folks showed out for the anticipated historic night.
Following the win, the Lakers released video footage of Lakers legends, including Kareem, players, and coaches congratulating James.
The team also released videos of Savannah, Bronny, Bryce, and Zuri cheering on their father’s win. Bron’s mother and mother-in-law also spoke.
Gloria James said:
“Since you were young, the goals you’ve set you’ve accomplished. On and off the court. Some weren’t even goals, but yet here you are again exceeding the expectation.”
Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Drake were among the celebrities who sent the player his props for becoming the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer.
“I’m so grateful to witness this moment in history,” Rihanna said. “My favorite thing about being a LeBron James fan is just watching you prove yourself over and over again against all odds and all doubt.”
Steph Curry, long-debated as LeBron’s best competition, also gave Bron his flowers for the record.
“Congratulations on becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer,” Curry said.
In one video after the game, posted on the NBA’s Instagram, LeBron reflected on a photo of his 3-year-old self with a basketball hoop toy on Christmas.
“I fell in love with it right there and then. Love been burning inside ever since.”
