LeBron tops 38,000 points, inches closer to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record

By TheGrio Staff

·January 17, 2023

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

LeBron James has become the second NBA player in history to pass 38,000 career points.

The Los Angeles Lakers star, 38, is now only 363 points away from tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time record of 38,387 points in his nearly 20-year career. CNN is reporting that James needed 11 points to reach the milestone of 38,000 points, which he achieved in the first quarter of Sunday’s game between the Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers.

James ended the game with 35 points 10 assists and eight rebounds but the Lakers ultimately lost 113-112.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 15, 2023 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

“It’s just frustrating, getting into those positions and not being able to come out with a victory,” James told reporters after the game, according to NBA.com. “We got the stop, gave ourselves a chance to win, and didn’t execute. We’re playing good basketball. We’re just not winning games.”

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As NBA.com reports, there was 5:43 left in the first quarter when James helped the Lakers take a 20-17 lead with his mid-range, 20-foot jump shot over P.J. Tucker off an assist from Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook.

Meanwhile, in April, Abdul-Jabbar took a few shots at James when he told the Los Angeles Times that the Ohio native should be “embarrassed” by some of the things he’s done regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. He later sent a statement to the newspaper clarifying his assertions, theGrio reported.

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In the note to the Times, Abdul-Jabbar wrote, “I have chided LeBron when I thought he was dropping the ball when it came to supporting the community. But I did so in the spirit of a loving older brother offering guidance, whether wanted or not. So, when I said that he has done some things he should be embarrassed about, that wasn’t a slam or a barb or even a finger wag, it was me recapping some of what I’d said in the past.”

James reportedly did not want to speak about him closing in on Abdul-Jabbar’s record. One Twitter user noted that the NBA icon “got the assist of 38k pts from Westbrook.”

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