LeBron James Sets Yet Another NBA Record
Mar 6, 2026
At 41 years old, in his 23rd NBA season, LeBron James once again etched his name in the basketball history book, this time by knocking down more field goals than anyone who's ever played the game.
With a turnaround baseline jumper over Denver Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji with 12 seconds left in the first quarter, LeBron recorded his 15,838th career field goal, moving past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to claim yet another record. Even in a hostile Denver crowd, those at Ball Arena recognized and respected greatness.
What makes this one particularly notable is the context behind the chase. James passed Abdul-Jabbar on the all-time scoring list on February 7, 2023; however, because the 3-point line didn't exist for much of Abdul-Jabbar's era, the Hall of Fame big man actually made more baskets to accumulate his points. Two different records, with the same guy standing in the way both times.
For comparison, Abdul-Jabbar attempted 28,307 shots in his career, only 18 of which came from three-point range. LeBron has attempted over 31,000, including more than 7,500 from deep.
Some sports records feel untouchable, such as Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game and Cal Ripken's 2,632 consecutive games. This one may join that list. The next closest active player is Kevin Durant with 11,075 made field goals, and Durant is already 37. The math remains firmly in James's favor.
Before this season is over, James will likely also hold the record for most games played in NBA history. Most points. Most field goals. Most games. Just more fuel for the GOAT debate.
But the night wasn't a complete celebration for the future Hall-of-Fame forward. James finished with 16 points, five rebounds, and eight assists and left the game late in the fourth quarter with an elbow injury, as the Lakers lost 120-113 to the Nuggets, falling to 37-25 and 1.5 games behind the fifth-place Nuggets in an already crowded Western Conference. With the playoffs just twenty games away, LA can't afford many more nights where the history outshines the result.
