Getty LeBron James during a game.
Los Angeles Lakers, small forward, LeBron James is now the NBA’s fifth all-time leading scorer.
The moment LeBron became 5th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list! #LakeShow #ThisIsWhyWePlay
James scored a season-high 44 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 126-117 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
James’ meteoric milestone, surpassed Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA’s all-time scoring ladder.
“When I’m able to do what I love to do and do it at this level and even be mentioned with any of the greats, it just always bring me back to my hometown of Akron,” James said after the game.
“I give it to the man above for giving me these God-given abilities, I’m taking full-advantage of them.”
Hear from LeBron after passing Wilt for 5th place on the all-time scoring list!
With 31,420 points currently, James trails Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who retired with 38,387 career points. Beneath Jabbar is Karl Malone who has 36,928 points.
Kobe Bryant is in fourth place with 33,643 points and Michael Jordan sits at fourth with 32,292 points.
twitter.com/JasmineLWatkins/status/1062948485111123969
Lakers’ LeBron James has passed Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain as the No. 5 all-time scorer in NBA history.
1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387
2 Karl Malone: 36,928
3 Kobe Bryant: 33,643
4 Michael Jordan: 32,292
5 LEBRON JAMES: 31,420 & counting
6 Wilt Chamberlain: 31,419
LeBron James’ 44 points tonight are the most by a Laker since Kobe Bryant’s 60 in his final career game in 2016.
Per ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, LeBron James put up the first 40-point game since D’Angelo Russell scored 40 on March 19, 2017 against the Cavaliers according to ESPN Stats and Info.
“It’s all about hard work,” James said after the win. In addition to his 44 points, James also hauled in 10 rebounds and handed out 9 assists in the contest.
Out of the top 10 players that are on the scoring list, five have played for the Lakers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Wilt Chamberlain, Shaquille O’Neal.
The King passes the Big Dipper.
@KingJames is now the fifth-highest scorer in NBA history.
LeBron joins the top-5 in all-time scoring 👑
Also worth noting, if James were to average 58 points for the next 15 games, he’d pass Michael Jordan on the all-time scoring list on Charlotte’s home court.
Lakers center, JaVale McGee had 20 points in the win. Brandon Ingram chippe in 17 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 13 points in the contest.
Damian Lillard led all Blazers scorers with 31 points. C.J. McCollum added 23 points, while Portland big man, Jusuf Nurkic chipped in a double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds.
WIth a Wednesday night win, the Lakers have an 8-6 record. The Lakers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have won 4 games in a row.
LeBron was a one-man battalion in that quarter, adding 16 points and 5 assists to his total.
Did much of his damage out of a two-man game with Lonzo.
Bringing the point guard into the pick-and-roll sews confusion into the defense, and Zo sets solid screens.
Los Angeles will take their talent down south on Saturday when they play the Orlando Magic in Orlando on Saturday. They’ll head to South Beach where they’ll play the Miami Heat on Sunday.
The Lakers will then head to Cleveland to play the Cleveland Cavaliers, James’ former team, next Wednesday.