LeBron James achieved a historic milestone on Thursday night in Denver, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career field goals made in NBA history. With a turnaround jumper over Zeke Nnaji late in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ game against the Denver Nuggets, James reached 15,838 career field goals, breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s previous mark of 15,837.
This accomplishment came during James’s 23rd NBA season, underscoring his longevity and sustained excellence in professional basketball. LeBron’s new record cements him further in league history, building on his status as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Historical Context and Comparison to Past Legends
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who finished his 20-year career in 1989 as the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, held the previous field goals record. Abdul-Jabbar, known for his signature skyhook shot, made 15,837 baskets while shooting an impressive 55.9 percent over his career, including a streak of 19 seasons with 50 percent or better shooting. By contrast, James has made 15,838 field goals on a shooting percentage of 51.6 percent.
LeBron also surpassed the other all-time great scorers, with Karl Malone third on the list at 13,528 career field goals. Unlike Abdul-Jabbar, who took only 18 three-pointers after the long-range shot’s introduction, James has attempted more than 7,500 three-point shots, contributing to his record attempts total of 31,274 entering Thursday’s game.
James tied Abdul-Jabbar’s record earlier in the game with an alley-oop dunk from Luca Doncic, highlighting his continued ability to produce highlight-reel plays even at age 41.
LeBron’s Continued Dominance and Longevity in the NBA
LeBron James continues to set records related to his remarkable career span. Last month, he became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double. His role as a dominant figure in basketball remains clear as he nears the NBA’s all-time record for most regular-season games played. As of the Lakers’ game against Denver, James had appeared in 1,606 regular-season contests, just five shy of Robert Parish’s record of 1,611 games.
James also holds the NBA postseason record with 292 playoff games, illustrating his sustained presence during crucial moments in the sport. Despite missing 18 games due to injury this season, he was selected for the All-Star Game for the 22nd time, demonstrating his ongoing impact and respect across the league.
The Enduring Legacy of LeBron James and His Future Prospects
Lakers coach J.J. Redick praised James’s career by comparing it to the enduring evolution of Bruce Springsteen’s music. Redick described the progression of Springsteen’s albums from youthful energy to timeless greatness, analogizing this journey to how LeBron continues to add to his “greatest hits” on the court.
“Yeah, I’m a big Bruce Springsteen fan, and I would probably say his early albums really, really get me going,”
J.J. Redick said. “There’s a youthfulness to him, you know, in energy. ‘Nebraska’ is actually my favorite album of all time. And that’s very different from what he had done that far in his career. And then you can kind of see the evolution of him as a singer-songwriter. and then he comes out with the greatest hits. And you’re like, ‘Wow, this is pretty good.’”
“And then after that he comes out with ‘The Rising,’ which is one of the most important albums of the 2000s. So, you get to the end and you’re like, ‘Holy man, this guy’s greatest hits are like insane.’ And LeBron’s greatest hits, right? He just keeps adding to them. He just plays and plays and plays and the greatest hits, he’s got a hell of a catalog.”
LeBron James has not yet announced whether he will return to the Lakers next season but has expressed confidence in his ability to maintain a high level of play indefinitely. His record-breaking achievements and ongoing competitiveness suggest he remains a defining force in professional basketball.
What This Record Means for the NBA and Future Players
By setting the new mark for career field goals, LeBron James solidifies his place alongside the legendary figures of the NBA. Surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar builds upon his legacy as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and further elevates his status as one of the game’s greatest players. As he continues to chase additional milestones, including the record for most regular-season games played, his career represents a model of durability, skill, and dedication for current and future athletes.
James’s achievements will influence how future superstars are measured, setting a high bar for longevity and scoring effectiveness across all seasons and playoffs.
LEBRON JAMES.
MOST FIELD GOALS MADE IN NBA HISTORY.
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2026
