LeBron James Sets New NBA Record for Career Field Goals Made

LeBron James has surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leader in career field goals made. This historic milestone occurred during the Los Angeles Lakers' 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night.

The New Record

James achieved his 15,838th career field goal with a 12-foot jumper in the first quarter, officially exceeding Abdul-Jabbar's previous record of 15,837 baskets. Trailing behind these two legends, Karl Malone ranks third on the all-time list with 13,528 field goals.

James commented on the achievement, stating that being mentioned alongside the game's greatest players is humbling. He noted that achieving this record was not a specific career goal.

Game Performance and Reactions

In the game where he set the record, James contributed 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, along with eight assists, three steals, and a block.

Lakers coach J.J. Redick described James as a "phenomenal basketball player" for 23 years.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic echoed this sentiment, calling James a "legendary player."

A Career of Milestones

James previously became the NBA's all-time leading scorer in February 2023. He also holds the record for career playoff points and has accumulated over 50,000 combined points in regular season and postseason play. His career field goal attempts total 31,274, while Abdul-Jabbar attempted 28,307.

Injury Scare

During the fourth quarter of the game, James sustained a sore left elbow following contact with Nikola Jokic on a layup attempt. No foul was called on the play. James returned to the game later but expressed concern about the injury's severity, indicating he would monitor it over the following days.

Unprecedented Longevity

At 41 years old, James continues to set NBA records for longevity and achievements, including recently becoming the oldest player to record a triple-double. He is nearing Robert Parish's record for most regular-season games played, needing just five more games to reach Parish's 1,611. James has not confirmed his return for next season but believes he can maintain a high level of play.