Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

LeBron James passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to set another NBA record

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Mar 5, 2026 11:34 PM ET

Already the NBA's all-time leading scorer, Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James etched his name in the record books one more time.

In the first half the Lakers' matchup with Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, James bodied up Nuggets big Zeke Nnaji and then turned around to drill a jump shot. But James' basket in the final seconds of the first quarter wasn't just any old two points out of his growing total.

LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once again

James, 41, set a new league record for the most field goals, passing the same Lakers icon who held the total points mark up until last season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

When James passed Abdul-Jabbar, he had 15,838 field goals, connecting on four of his first five in the game against Denver.

LEBRON JAMES.

MOST FIELD GOALS MADE IN NBA HISTORY.

pic.twitter.com/yCj3h4j6rO
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2026

James and Abdul-Jabbar are the only two players to reach and surpass 15,000 field goals. And in fact, they are the only two players to ever even hit 14,000.

In third place, is Karl Malone with 13,528. Wilt Chamberlain (12,681) and Michael Jordan (12,192) round out the top four on the all-time list. No one else has achieved 12,000 in a career.

Congrats to @KingJames of the @Lakers for becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in field goals made! pic.twitter.com/ar6n2f0nG1
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2026

LeBron James' career will likely never be duplicated

Amid his NBA-record 23rd season, James continues to create an entirely new standard for longevity. He entered Thursday averaging 21.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists while shooting 50.2% from the field.

In addition to his lofty all-time totals and records, James is a 22-time All-Star, the most in history, a 13-time All-NBA first-team selection, a four-time league MVP, four-time NBA champion, four-time Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star MVP and even a three-time Olympic gold medalist.

No matter where anyone wants to rank James in terms of his place among the game's all-time best, there's no denying he has more than exceeded the hype that surrounded his No. 1 overall selection in the 2002 NBA Draft.

In all likelihood, James' full body of work will stand the test of time as an unmatched display of unparalleled greatness.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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