LA Lakers star LeBron James breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA scoring record to take his career 38,388 points

LeBron James is the NBA’s new career scoring leader.

With a stepback jump shot 10.9 seconds ahead in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday night, James boosted his career tally to 38,388 points and broke the record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for nearly four decades.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: LeBron James makes history with an NBA scoring record.

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James stretched out his arms, threw both hands up in the air, and then smiled.

Abdul-Jabbar rose from his seat and clapped. The game was interrupted as some members of James’ family, including his wife, mother and children, took the floor to appreciate the moment.

Abdul-Jabbar — one of many celebrities and sports stars who made sure they were there to watch history — became the league’s top scorer on April 5, 1984, ending 1989 with 38,387 points.

It was a record that some minds would hold forever, and very few even came close.

Karl Malone was eliminated 1,459 points behind Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant was 4,744 points shy and Michael Jordan was 6,095 points away.

James passed them all and then caught Abdul-Jabbar as well. He did it in his 20th season. Abdul-Jabbar also played 20 NBA seasons.

Earlier, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Abdul-Jabbar looked a bit uncomfortable as he watched James slowly gnawing at the record.

But it wasn’t long before James put the legend out of his misery.

A presentation was played on the video screens above, showing moments from his notable career, and Abdul-Jabbar handed James a basketball and shook his hand on the court.

James wiped his eyes and thanked his family, the fans and the NBA.

James then sat down at a microphone and said: “Everyone who has ever taken part in this run with me over the last 20+ years, I want to say thank you so much because I wouldn’t be me without all of you. you all helped The passion and sacrifices of all of you have helped me get to this point.

“To my beautiful wife, my daughter, my two boys, my friends, my boys, my family, my mom… everyone who’s ever been a part of this ride with me over the past 20 years, 20+ years, I just want to.” to say thank you so much.

“And to the NBA to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, thank you for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed of.

“I could never have dreamed of this better in a million years than what it is tonight.”

Then James said goodbye with: “F***, man, thank you guys” and handed back the microphone.

The star-studded audience included tennis legend John McEnroe, music stars Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Bad Bunny, actor Denzel Washington and former Lakers players Bob McAdoo and James Worthy.

With the skills of a point guard, the shooting prowess of a wing and the strength of a power forward, James went into Tuesday’s game averaging 30 points per game this season and needed 36 that night to break the record.

James, 38, has averaged 27.2 points per game during his career while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14) and the Lakers (2018-present).

Not counting in his regular season record is James’ 7,631 playoff points, also the most by any player in NBA history. He has played in 266 postseason career games, winning four NBA championships in the process.

Prior to this game, James had a stunning performance at the Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles.

Fans were ecstatic as the smiling legend appeared in a shiny suit, gold chains and dark glasses.

During the warm-up, he also wore 38.388 headphones emblazoned in gold on top.

After the record basket, NBA stars and fans paid tribute to “King James”.

Golden State Warriors champion Steph Curry said it was an “incredible” performance and a “feat more than deserved.”

“Your continued level of play over 20 years, reaching this point in basketball scoring is incredible,” said Curry.

“Later on when we look back on our careers we will be able to be at that level and know what it was like to fight at the highest level.”

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant said: “It’s actually funny to just say that, you know where you’re from, how hard you’ve been grinding for so long. It’s been an inspiration since day one.

“Lots of love and keep raising the bar.”

Another former player of the legendary game, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson said: “This historic moment is so special because we will never see another LeBron James.

“He’s always been a pass-first leader whose ability to improve his teammates is unique; which makes him even more incredible to break the record!”

Some fans were disappointed with James F-Bomb, taking to social media to say she lacked class.

“(Michael) Jordan would never have sworn there because he had self-control and could speak clearly and concisely,” one MJ fan wrote on Twitter.

But mostly, the response to the speech and the recording was overwhelmingly positive, with many wondering why official accounts singled it out.

A debate later raged about who was the greatest NBA player of all time.

When asked exactly that by former star Shaquille O’Neal, James said: “I’ll let everyone else decide who this is or just talk about it.

“Listen, big guy… I’ll personally be up against everyone who’s ever played this game, but everyone’s going to have their favourite….

“I always feel like I’m the best person to have played this game, but there are so many other great ones out there and I’m just happy to be a part of their journey.”

Some fans paid a staggering amount to be on the sidelines, and reports surfaced that some tickets cost a whopping $140,000 and up.

-with Reuters/NBCNEWS