LeBron James scored 46 points Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers, his fourth game of at least 43 points in the last month — though the first in a losing effort.
However, while his scoring surge didn’t help the Los Angeles Lakers get a win Tuesday, it did move up the timeline on when he’s expected to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record.
James’ scoring average is up to 30.2 points per game this season, incredibly the third-highest of his career. If he continues at that rate without missing a game, he’ll break the record in six games, at the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 4.
However, the odds favor him to take a couple more games to get it done and break it on Feb. 9 against the Milwaukee Bucks.
When will LeBron James become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer?
Feb. 9 vs MIL +180
Feb. 7 vs OKC +200
Feb. 11 at GS +270
Feb. 4 at NO +370At his current pace of 30.2ppg, LBJ is on track to pass Kareem on Feb. 4 vs NO.
Last night's 46pts moved the target from Feb. 7 vs OKC. https://t.co/G1gwWOx1yw
— Odds Shark (@OddsShark) January 25, 2023
It would be an incredible aligning of the stars for James to break Abdul-Jabbar’s record in Los Angeles, in a Lakers jersey against the team that drafted Abdul-Jabbar and eventually traded him to the Lakers. And the Hall of Famer would likely show up in person to see the monumental record fall.
If it doesn’t happen that day, a very close second is +200 odds for it to happen Feb. 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That wouldn’t be nearly as exciting, and something tells me James won’t let it go down like that.