LeBron James Surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Minutes Played as Lakers Triumph Over Kings

LeBron James Surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Minutes Played as Lakers Triumph Over Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a night that will be etched in the annals of NBA history, LeBron James added another feather to his illustrious cap. The Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leader in regular-season minutes played. This milestone was celebrated in the locker room by Lakers coach JJ Redick, who congratulated the 39-year-old in front of his teammates.

However, the locker room atmosphere was far from solemn. Following the Lakers’ 113-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings, James’ teammates took a more lighthearted approach to the occasion. “They told me I’m old as hell and all that,” James quipped after playing 34 minutes, which brought his career total to 57,471 minutes, nudging Abdul-Jabbar to the second spot with 57,446.

James, now in his 22nd season, holds the distinction of being the oldest active player in the league. This season, he has shown signs of aging, notably taking an eight-day break to rehabilitate a left foot injury. Yet, his return has been nothing short of impressive. The Lakers have secured victories in both games since his comeback, against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Kings, both crucial wins in the competitive Western Conference standings. James contributed 19 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds against Sacramento, following an 18, 8, and 8 performance against Memphis.

Teammate Anthony Davis emphasized the impact of James’ presence, saying, “His voice is what we missed the two games that he was out — on both ends of the floor. I mean, he’s a natural-born leader when it comes to the game, and when it’s time where it might seem chaotic, he’s able to kind of take control and just get us into something and we try to execute as good as possible.”

Not long ago, the Lakers’ season seemed to be spiraling out of control, with the team losing seven out of nine games and James sidelined for two. However, the Lakers have turned the tide, winning three of their last four games, with their defense emerging as a formidable force rather than a liability.

Coach Redick expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “For the group, I really felt like this might be my favorite win we’ve had all season.” Davis echoed this sentiment, adding, “We’re playing desperate — especially on the defensive end. And it’s showing.”

The Lakers’ victory was a team effort, with Austin Reaves leading the scoring with 25 points. Other notable contributions came from D’Angelo Russell with 16 points, Gabe Vincent with 12, and Rui Hachimura with 10.

For James, the achievement of becoming the all-time leader in minutes played was particularly poignant, as it came full circle in the city where he played his first NBA regular-season game back in 2003. Reflecting on the milestone, James said, “It’s a pretty cool honor, obviously, anytime I’m linked with some of the greats that have ever played this game. I’ve been available to my teammates. I’ve been able to do this at a high level over two decades. And to continue to put myself in record books in this game of basketball that I love so much and in the best league in the world is pretty cool and it’s very humbling.”

As the Lakers prepare to remain in Sacramento for the second game of their set, James is taking a moment to savor his achievement. “I just set the all-time-leading [mark] in minutes, I am not thinking about this next game yet,” he said. “I’m about to get to this [hotel] room, drink some wine, play some Madden and chill the f— out.”