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 achieved during the Lakers’ 113-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
After the game, Lakers coach JJ Redick took a moment to acknowledge the 39-year-old James in front of the team, celebrating his remarkable achievement. However, the locker room atmosphere was a bit more relaxed, with teammates playfully ribbing James about his age. “They told me I’m old as hell and all that,” James quipped, having logged 34 minutes to bring his career total to 57,471, 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 some signs of aging, notably taking an eight-day break to rehabilitate a left foot injury. Yet, his return has been nothing short of impressive, with two effective performances that have helped the Lakers secure wins against the Memphis Grizzlies and the Kings, both crucial games in the Western Conference standings. Against the Kings, James contributed 19 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, following an 18, 8, and 8 performance against the Grizzlies.
Teammate Anthony Davis praised James’ leadership, 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 too 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 games. However, the Lakers have turned the tide, winning three of their last four games, with their defense emerging as a strength 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 players also contributed significantly, with D’Angelo Russell scoring 16 points, Gabe Vincent adding 12, and Rui Hachimura chipping in 10.
For James, the milestone was particularly special as it came full circle in the same city where he played his first NBA regular-season game back in 2003. Reflecting on the achievement, 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.”
Looking ahead, the Lakers will remain in Sacramento to complete the two-game set on Saturday. However, James is not rushing to think about the next game just yet. “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.”
Originally Written by: Dave McMenamin
