Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Dec 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) reacts after a play against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
NBA

NBA World Reacts to LeBron James Breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s All-Time Field Goals Made Record: ‘THE KING OF BUCKETS’

Lakers star LeBron James sends the NBA world into a frenzy after becoming the league’s all-time leader in made field goals.

Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James added to his illustrious résumé during Thursday’s road clash against the Denver Nuggets, overtaking franchise icon Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leader in made field goals.

The monumental achievement left the NBA world singing the four-time MVP’s praises as he continues to defy Father Time in Year 23.

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LeBron James’ Historic Field Goal Sends the NBA World Into a Frenzy

James entered Thursday trailing Abdul-Jabbar (15,837 field goals) by just two made shots after converting eight in Tuesday’s 110-101 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

As expected, the 22-time All-Star took care of business in short order, setting the record in the first quarter. James first tied Abdul-Jabbar’s field goal tally in emphatic fashion, throwing down a two-handed alley-oop slam with 6:36 remaining in the opening stanza.

James followed that up with a fadeaway baseline jumper with 11.8 seconds to go in the first quarter, giving him 15,838 made shots since entering the league in 2003, a feat that wasn’t received lightly.

“The King adds another accolade to the throne,” SportsCenter captioned the achievement.

“THE KING OF BUCKETS,” Yahoo Sports asserted.

“I want to congratulate Lakers legend and superstar LeBron James on becoming the all-time leader for field goals made in NBA history – passing my Showtime Lakers teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar!” Lakers icon Magic Johnson exclaimed.

“GREATNESS,” Hoop Central posted.

“People can have the GOAT debate all day, but LeBron James statistically has the best individual career in NBA history. I really don’t think that’s debatable,” NBA writer Earl K. Sneed declared.

“Odds are slim to none that this record will ever be broken,” RotoWire opined.

“One of one,” DraftKings gushed.

As some pointed out, James’ latest record appears safe for the foreseeable future. The next-closest active player is Houston Rockets star forward Kevin Durant with 11,075 made field goals. With Durant already 37 years old, his chances of challenging James, who is still going strong at 41, are virtually zero.

James entered Thursday averaging 21.6 points per game on 50.2% shooting through 43 appearances this season, converting 8.1 field goals a night.

The four-time NBA champion has already been the league’s all-time leading scorer since February 2023. However, James’ advantage in free throws and 3-pointers made over Abdul-Jabbar, who dominated with a vastly different play style, led him to take a few more years to surpass the Lakers icon in the field-goal department.

Tristan Rawcliffe
Written by Tristan Rawcliffe

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