Juan Carlo Mercado


With 20 seconds less left in the third frame, Lebron James sank a fadeaway shot, surpassing Laker legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time scoring leader.

Photo Courtesy of CNN

The Oklahoma City Thunders weren't in a good mood, though, and they had other things planned for the day.

Being quashed by the 11th-seeded Thunders, that's what the home team Los Angeles Lakers got despite James soaring past Kareem in the scoring leaders in their upsetting 130-133 loss at the Crypto.com Arena, February 8. 

James had one goal in mind: score 37 points or more to surpass Abdul-Jabbar on the scoring list with only 36 points remaining

However, their weak transition defense was one of the reasons they lost tonight.

In the closing moments of the third canto, James posted up against Thunder forward Kendrich Williams and made a fade-away shot over him to achieve his destined goal. 

The game stopped to recognize James' achievement and where all the fans witnessed Abdul-Jabbar passing James a commemorative ball from NBA commissioner Adam Silver to cherish the moment.

"I just want to say, thank you Laker faithful, you guys are one of a kind," said James after breaking the record.

"To be able to be in the presence of such a legend and as great as Kareem means so much to me.", he added.

Meanwhile, OKC’s transition offense helped them squeak past the opposition as star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led his team’s scoring parade with 30 markers, eight assists, and a couple of rebounds while point guard Josh Giddey chimed in 20 points, six dimes, and five boards.

On the other end, James brought his squad on his shoulders, he did most of his scoring in the 3-point line and in the paint as he tracked up 38 markers, seven caroms, and three dimes while guard Russell Westbrook joined forces with James, chalking up 27 points, four boards, and eight assists but could not keep their squad afloat.

Abdul-Jabbar held the NBA record since 1984 when he passed the legendary Wilt Chamberlain as the scoring leader.


Edited by Quian Vencel Galut