What is the exact date LeBron James broke the NBA all-time scoring record?

LeBron James broke the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring record on February 7, 2023. He surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during a Lakers home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

James needed 36 points to pass Abdul-Jabbar’s total of 38,387 points. He reached the mark late in the third quarter with a fadeaway jumper over Oklahoma City forward Kenrich Williams. The game paused after the basket, allowing Abdul-Jabbar to present James with the game ball during an on-court ceremony.

The moment came in James’s 20th NBA season, highlighting the combination of longevity and production behind the record. He had entered the league as the first overall pick in the 2003 draft and scored for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Cavaliers again, and Los Angeles Lakers.

A common mix-up is January 15, 2023, when James became the second NBA player to reach 38,000 regular-season points. February 8 was also widely reported in some time zones, but the game and record-breaking basket took place on February 7 in Los Angeles.