LeBron James has made NBA history, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time scorer. Fans around the world gathered around television screens to watch James make history at the Crypto.com Arena.
James breaks the record in his 20th season in the league. Sharing the moment with him in real time was his family, including sons Bronny and Bryce and his daughter Zhuri, along with his wife and mother. A-listers like Usher, Shannon Sharpe, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and JAY-Z turned up courtside to soak at the moment. With a fadeaway jumper at the free-throw line in the third quarter, James cements his name in the history books with 38,388 points.
The Scoring King and the rest of the arena erupted in celebration, pausing the game for Abdul-Jabbar to gift James the game ball. Now that James officially holds the record as the all-time leading scorer, his title as the “greatest of all time” is undisputed. With still a few years left in the tank, James will only continue to reign. Congratulations were heard all around the world, including from some of his famous friends like Drake and Rihanna. Take a look below at some of the reactions Twitter had when James made the record.
“This is one of the greatest accomplishments in sports history.”
Some of the best to ever do it congratulate @KingJames ? pic.twitter.com/3nNvmKVYAo
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 8, 2023
He’s a father, a son, and now the #ScoringKing
Congrats, @KingJames. From the #JamesGang. pic.twitter.com/qLBY9x8aKv
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 8, 2023
Congrats @KingJames!
What a time. What an accomplishment. Proud of you, #ScoringKing pic.twitter.com/ZuYYUFmAsW
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) February 8, 2023
Congratulations to @KingJames on making history, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the @NBA’s all-time scoring leader.✨ #ScoringKing pic.twitter.com/UITgB9fHXR
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) February 8, 2023
Wow, never in my lifetime did I think I would see two NBA athletes score over 38,000 points! I still remember when my Showtime teammate, the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, broke the record. It was an honor to be the guy to pass it to him and cement his legacy!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2023
LeBron James is officially the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. He has 38,388 points and counting.
A record that stood for over 38 years has officially fallen.
Now the only question is, how high will that number get?
The way LeBron’s playing right now, probably very, very high.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) February 8, 2023
WOW‼️
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 8, 2023
Witnessed Greatness.
Witnessed History.
Congrats @KingJames ?
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) February 8, 2023
One of One! Congrats bro @KingJames
— James Harden (@JHarden13) February 8, 2023
Wild to witness someone from Northeast Ohio doing this ! Congrats @KingJames !!!
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) February 8, 2023
This WILD!!! Unreal. Actually doing this like THE ?should!
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) February 8, 2023
Unbelievable!! Congrats @KingJames
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) February 8, 2023
True Greatness. Incredibly grateful to have witnessed and been a part of your journey. History made.
38,388 ?
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) February 8, 2023
Legendary moment. Congratulations brother! 38390 ? @KingJames pic.twitter.com/AjuwzGwBQN
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) February 8, 2023
Congratulations @KingJames job well done. My boy @IamBlackway had this waiting for you pic.twitter.com/y8ju7fFHeM
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) February 8, 2023
Nike founder Phil Knight congratulates Lakers’ LeBron James.
LeBron James: “I’m so happy you were here.”
Phil Knight: “I wouldn’t have missed it.” pic.twitter.com/uZRkSOqfKQ— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 8, 2023
Wow, this is an insane compilation of all his points ? #LeBronJames pic.twitter.com/jfQotc18V1
— John Watson (@JohnWatsonSport) February 8, 2023
I don’t wanna hear shit! I’m not debating a damn thing when it comes to the GOAT. Old heads, haters, trolls… sit this one out! I always believed but now it’s concrete and nothing left to discuss… Carry. The. Hell. ON!
Congratulations my brother @KingJames
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) February 8, 2023
In other sports news, Lakers have finalized a three-team trade to send Russell Westbrook to Utah Jazz.