by Don Mooney 2-8-2023
Memphis, TENN—A fadeaway jumper, not a skyhook ode to Abdul-Jabbar or one of his signature power dunks, with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter of a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder that sent James to the top of the scoring mountain that Abdul-Jabbar stood above for more than 38 years at 38,387 career points.
The game was paused to honor him on the court, where his mother, wife and children met and embraced him. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Abdul-Jabbar were in attendance as James scored the record – setting basketball handed the crown to James as if relinquishing the scoring crown itself.
James entered the game with 38,352 points, needing 36 to overtake Abdul-Jabbar. He finished the night with 38 points on 13-of-20 shooting (4-of-6 from 3) to go along with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
“I just want to say thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind,” James said into a microphone. He asked the crowd to give Abdul-Jabbar a standing ovation. “Everybody that’s ever been a part of this run with me the last … 20-plus years, I just want to say I thank you so much, because I wouldn’t be me without y’all.”