Trailing Michael Jordan by 12 points on the NBA’s all-time scoring list entering the Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets, LeBron James tied his idol at 32,292 career points with a fadeaway in the second quarter.
Moments later, James passed Jordan with an and-1 layup.
The moment @KingJames passed MJ on the All-Time Scoring List! 👑 pic.twitter.com/74wplNvUX2
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 7, 2019
James hit the free throw to finish the three-point play and ended his night with 31 points. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they still fell to the Nuggets 115-99.
After the game, James reflected on reaching 32,311 points.
“Of all the stuff I’ve done in my career, this ranks right up there at the top with winning a championship,” James said. “For a kid from Akron, Ohio, that needed inspiration and needed some type of positive influence, MJ was that guy for me. I watched him from afar, wanted to be like MJ, wanted to shoot fadeaways like MJ, wanted to stick my tongue out on dunks like MJ, wanted to wear my sneakers like MJ. I wanted kids to look up to me at some point like MJ and it’s just crazy, to be honest. It’s beyond crazy.”
“For a kid from Akron, Ohio that needed inspiration … MJ was that guy for me.”
LeBron James reflects on passing Michael Jordan on the NBA's all-time scoring list. #GameTime pic.twitter.com/o14NdactpI
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 7, 2019
Thank You MJ – @KingJames #NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/vIWbUVD7Nz
— NBA KICKS (@NBAKicks) March 7, 2019
“I want to congratulate LeBron on achieving another great milestone during his amazing career,” Jordan said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Now, James trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points), Karl Malone (36,928) and Kobe Bryant (33,643) on the all-time scoring chart.
If he stays healthy over the rest of his career, he could surpass all of them.
Hollywood stars. ⭐️
The game’s top four scorers have all donned the purple and gold. pic.twitter.com/YJIScLi9Sb
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 7, 2019
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
