NBA: LeBron James surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to set new record in LA Lakers defeat to the Denver Nuggets – ‘It’s a pretty cool feat’
By Marko Tankosic
SME News Balkan. Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James added another historic milestone to his legendary career after surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most field goals made in NBA history.
The record-breaking moment came during the Lakers’ 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on Thursday night. Despite the defeat, James scored 16 points and officially moved past Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing mark of 15,837 field goals, further cementing his legacy as one of basketball’s greatest players.
Another Historic Achievement for LeBron James
James, who already holds the NBA record for most points scored in league history, continues to redefine longevity and excellence in professional basketball.
In 2024, the four-time NBA MVP also surpassed Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leader in minutes played, adding another prestigious record to his resume.
The milestone follows another remarkable achievement from last year when James became the first player in NBA history to reach 50,000 total points, combining regular season and playoff scoring.
Speaking after the game, James described the achievement as a special moment in his career.
“Being mentioned with some of the greatest to ever play this game has always been humbling,” James said.
“I grew up watching and idolizing a lot of the great players. If I was able to be part of the NBA, I wanted to put myself in a position where my name could be mentioned among them.”
A Career Built on Consistency and Longevity
James explained that breaking records was never his primary goal when he entered the league.
“It’s a pretty cool feat, but it’s hard for me to fully wrap my head around it,” he said.
“When I came into the league as the No. 1 player in the country, I understood that I had to start from scratch and prove myself again at the highest level.”
Over more than two decades in the NBA, James has built a reputation for remarkable durability and elite performance, allowing him to climb to the top of multiple statistical categories.
JJ Redick Compares LeBron’s Career to Bruce Springsteen
Before the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick compared James’ evolving career to legendary musician Bruce Springsteen, highlighting how the basketball icon has reinvented himself throughout the years.
Redick explained that, like Springsteen’s musical evolution from his early energetic albums to later iconic works, James has continued to adapt his playing style while maintaining elite production.
The comparison emphasized the longevity and continued impact of the 41-year-old star.
Another Record Within Reach
James may soon break yet another historic record.
The game against the Nuggets marked his 1,606th career NBA appearance, putting him just five games away from tying Robert Parish’s all-time record of 1,611 games played, set over 21 seasons.
If he reaches the milestone this season, James will add yet another achievement to what is already considered one of the most extraordinary careers in sports history.
As the Lakers continue their season, all eyes remain on James, whose ability to keep rewriting the record books shows no signs of slowing down.
