LeBron James set another milestone on Thursday, becoming the player with the most field goals made in National Basketball Association history, though the achievement could not prevent the Los Angeles Lakers from falling 120–113 to the Denver Nuggets.
James, who already holds the NBA’s all-time scoring record, surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 15,837 field goals with a fadeaway jumper in the first quarter.
The 41-year-old, now in a record 23rd NBA season, has fuelled speculation about possible retirement in recent weeks, telling reporters in January: “I don’t know what the future holds.”
James finished Thursday’s game with 16 points but appeared to injure his left elbow in the fourth quarter after being knocked off the court and landing on the legs of a courtside cameraman.
Play was briefly halted as he was substituted, though James returned for the final two minutes despite appearing to be in pain.
Denver led from start to finish, although the Lakers cut the deficit to just one point with two minutes remaining.
“They’re a difficult team to beat,” said Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, who recorded another triple-double with 28 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds. “We scored when we needed.”
The result could prove significant in the playoff race, with the Lakers occupying the final automatic playoff spot in sixth place, just behind Denver.
They remain two games ahead of the Phoenix Suns, who lost 105–103 to the Chicago Bulls.
James’s career total of more than 43,000 points is nearly 5,000 ahead of Abdul-Jabbar, whom he surpassed for the all-time scoring record in 2023.
While Abdul-Jabbar played much of his career before the introduction of the three-point shot, James’s new field-goal record further underscores his longevity and dominance over more than two decades in the league.
AFP
