NBA

LeBron James breaks Abdul-Jabbar’s minutes record

James set the record one minute, 23 seconds into the second quarter when he reached 10 minutes for the game against the Kings

INQUIRER.net US Bureau / 01:23 AM December 20, 2024

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s regular-season career minutes record Thursday night.

James set the record one minute, 23 seconds into the second quarter when he reached 10 minutes for the game against the Kings in Sacramento and 57,447 for his career.

“So it’s a pretty cool honor, obviously, anytime I’m linked with some of the greats that ever played this game,” James said after scoring 19 points in 34 minutes in the Lakers‘ 113-100 victory.

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) defends against Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

“To know I’ve been available to my teammates, to know I’ve been able to do this at high level for two decades and continue to put myself in our record books in this game of basketball that I love so much in the best league in the world is it’s pretty cool, and it’s very, very humbling.

Los Angeles Lakers forwards LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis (3) talk on the court during the second half of an NBA basketball against the Sacramento Kings game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Abdul-Jabbar played 57,446 minutes in 1,560 games over 20 seasons. James has played 57,471 minutes in 1,517 games over 22 seasons.

James broke Abdul-Jabbar’s combined regular season and playoff career record of 66,297 minutes on Nov. 27, 2023, when he played 29 minutes in a 138-94 loss at Philadelphia that gave him a combined 66,318 minutes.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis, center top right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

James had a second milestone Thursday. His 19 points made him the 13th Laker to score 10,000 or more points with the franchise. (CNS)