LeBron James was a man on a mission Tuesday.
Needing 38 points to become the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring leader, the Lakers superstar went on a scoring spree, clinching the record in the third quarter Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder in front of a jubilant home crowd in Los Angeles.
James had 20 points by halftime, and racked up another 18 in the third quarter, setting the record on a fade-away jumper with 10.9 seconds left in the quarter.
Another Lakers legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had held the scoring record for nearly four decades, with 38,387 career points. Abdul-Jabbar set the NBA record in 1984, topping Wilt Chamberlain, and continued playing until 1989.
Abdul-Jabbar was courtside Tuesday to watch James surpass him.
The game was stopped so the NBA could honor James, 38, who’s playing in his 20th season. James will be honored again with a larger-scale celebration at the upcoming NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City.
Credit: marketwatch.com