One of the biggest names in basketball has added yet another milestone to his long list of historical accomplishments. LeBron James has become the second player in NBA history to score 38,000 career points.
The Los Angeles Lakers star now joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only two players in league history to surpass the milestone number.
James crossed the marker in a match-up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 15. Five minutes and 43 seconds remained in the first quarter when Russel Westbrook set James up with the milestone shot. James took a 20-foot jump shot over the head of P.J. Tucker and nailed it.
Despite James’ performance with 35 points, the Lakers fell just short against the 76ers with a final score of 113-112, which marked their third straight loss this season.
“It’s just frustrating to get into those positions and not be able to come out with the victory,” James said. “We got the stop, gave ourselves a chance to win, and didn’t execute.… We’re playing good basketball. We’re just not winning games.”
Despite the hardships as a team, James seems certain to break the NBA’s all-time scoring record within the next few weeks. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar currently holds the title with a staggering 38,387 career points scored. However, despite Jabbar having the title for decades, he supports James’ determination to break it.
“I’m excited to see it happen,” Jabbar said in an interview with Marc Stein. “I don’t see records as personal accomplishments but as human achievements. If one person can do something that’s never been done, that means we all have a shot at doing it. It’s a source of hope and inspiration. Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile back in 1954. Since then, not only have 1,400 runners beaten that time, but the new record is 17 seconds less. We all win when a record is broken, and if LeBron breaks mine, I will be right there to cheer him on.”
“For the season, James is averaging 29.8 points per game,” CBS Sports said. “If the pace is maintained, the record would come against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 7 at home. The Lakers host the Bucks on Feb. 9 and travel to face the Warriors on Feb. 11, which could become record-setting dates if LeBron sits any games out over the next month.”
With the impending potentially-record-breaking game, eyes closely will watch the Lakers star as he competes over the next few weeks.
