LeBron James posts 41 factors vs. Celtics in pursuit of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA scoring report

Jan 28, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports — LeBron James is only some video games from NBA historical past. (Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports activities)

LeBron James retains transferring ahead.

James entered Saturday evening’s recreation in opposition to the Boston Celtics needing simply 158 factors to go Kareem Abdul-Jabbar because the NBA’s all-time scoring chief. He completed the evening with 41 factors on 15-of-30 taking pictures (6-of-12 from deep) with 9 rebounds and eight assists,

James is now solely 117 points away from Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time mark.

That efficiency was only one a part of a wild recreation in opposition to the Japanese Convention-best Boston Celtics, who have been saved by a questionable no-call on a would-be James game-winner and pulled out a 125-121 win in overtime.

LeBron James breaking scoring report is only a matter of time

James is quickly closing in on the scoring report, and he’s nonetheless taking part in unbelievable basketball whereas doing it. After Saturday’s recreation, he’s averaging 30.2 factors via 40 video games this season, which might be the third-best scoring output over his two-decade run within the league.

James averaged 20.9 factors per recreation as a rookie and hasn’t dipped beneath that tempo since. He is on tempo to interrupt Abdul-Jabbar’s report in 100-plus fewer video games performed than his fellow Lakers nice. Abdul-Jabbar reached his tally of 38,387 factors in 1,560 video games; the Lakers’ recreation in opposition to the Spurs was the 1,405th of James’ profession.

The season tempo has James on observe to go Abdul-Jabbar on Feb. 4 in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans. Here is the upcoming slate of Lakers video games as James pursues one of many final nice milestones of his basketball profession.

Monday: at Brooklyn Nets, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBA TV)

Tuesday: at New York Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT)

Feb. 2: at Indiana Pacers, 7 p.m. ET

Feb. 4: at New Orleans Pelicans, 8 p.m. ET

Feb. 7: vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 10:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 9: vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 10 p.m. ET (TNT)

Feb. 11: at Golden State Warriors, 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

Feb. 13: at Portland Trail Blazers, 10 p.m. ET

Feb. 15: vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 10 p.m. ET (ESPN)