LeBron James breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time NBA scoring record

Los Angeles Lakers star achieves feat against Oklahoma City Thunder

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena in California on Tuesday night, February 7, 2023. AFP

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after breaking NBA's all-time scoring record against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Crypto.com Arena. USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, is hugged by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Los Angeles. AP

LeBron James celebrates after overtaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. AP

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, scores to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. AP

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the game against Oklahoma City Thunder at the Crypto.com Arena in California. EPA

LeBron James became the all-time leading scorer in NBA on Tuesday night in California. EPA

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, right, is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. AP

LeBron James throws chalk in the air as part of his pre-game routine. AFP

LeBron James prepares to take the court. AFP

LeBron James has become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 38,387 points.

With a stepback jump shot with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, James pushed his career total to 38,388 points to break the record that stood for nearly four decades.

With four championship rings and nearly every other honour available to an NBA player, the 38-year-old James now has one of the most coveted records in the game.

After breaking the record, the Los Angeles Lakers star stretched out his arms and threw both hands in the air. Abdul-Jabbar, who was at the packed Crypto.com Arena, rose from his seat and cheered James. The game was stopped as some members of James’ family, including his wife, mother and his children, took the floor for a ceremony recognising the moment.

“I just want to say, thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind,” James said during the mid-game ceremony. “To be able to be in the presence of such a legend as great as Kareem, it’s very humbling.”

James then thanked his family and those who have supported him, including NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

“I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamt about. I would never ever in a million years have dreamt this even better than what it is tonight," James added.

James has averaged 27.2 points per game in his career while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14) and the Lakers (2018-present).

Not counted in his regular-season record total are James' 7,631 playoff points, also the most by a player in NBA history. He has played in 266 career postseason games while winning four NBA titles.