Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in total points scored in an NBA career Tuesday night, making James the most prolific scorer league history. This is a monumental feat for one of the best to ever do it.
James entered the game needing 36 points to pass Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 38,387. It was a step-back shot right at the nail that finally minted LeBron James as the new scoring king.
The star-studded affair in LA drew celebrities Bad Bunny, Jay Z, Denzel Washington and many more to witness history. Abdul-Jabbar was sitting courtside as well, and the anticipation was palpable from the initial horn. Every time James handled the ball the crowd roared with cheers.
NBA Twitter exploded in praise and celebration of LeBron when he finally grabbed the record during the final seconds of the third quarter. Here are some of the best tweets from the historic night.
LeBron James: "16 points. 8 points a quarter?"
Bronny: "Go ahead."
LeBron: "Go ahead and get it? Aight, I'll get it."pic.twitter.com/kFCMEU9L08
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 8, 2023
it's finepic.twitter.com/Zmq3zLmbm6
— mark (@tole_cover) February 8, 2023
did it in three quarters on 18 shots
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) February 8, 2023
There are so many magical things about this moment.
38,388
I can't help but wonder if the man who's going to break LeBron's record one day, is tweeting about it right now.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) February 8, 2023
You know Russ wanted that assist 😂
— Snowflake (@bigmaic010) February 8, 2023
Watching LeBron James in year 20 like pic.twitter.com/9RTDfxY783
— Alex Regla (@AlexmRegla) December 14, 2022
Congratulations to LeBron for breaking the NBA all-time scoring record with 38,388 career points! 🔥👏🏾@KingJames
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 8, 2023
exceeded every expectation
brought a championship to every team
wild as hell— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) February 8, 2023
After 39 years, the NBA has a new #ScoringKing
Salute, @kingjames. pic.twitter.com/NSJqD1kobN
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 8, 2023
Kareem 🤝 LeBron
What a moment pic.twitter.com/oJy1Len9UM
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 8, 2023
LeBron to his sons: “Which one of y’all is going to break the scoring record?”
Bronny: “We gone be 2 and 3.”
Bryce’s facial expression 😭
(via: @Rachel__Nichols) pic.twitter.com/Lw6Mi0AL62
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) February 8, 2023