In another milestone moment of his storied career, LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 35-year-old record for most regular season minutes played in NBA history during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 113-100 win over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night. James eclipsed Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 57,446 minutes in the second quarter, finishing the game with 57,471 minutes after playing 34 minutes.
This achievement adds to James’s remarkable collection of NBA records, including the all-time scoring title and combined regular season and playoff minutes record, which he claimed in November 2023 by surpassing Abdul-Jabbar’s previous mark of 66,297 minutes.
“It’s a pretty cool honor,” James reflected after the game, expressing humility about joining the ranks of basketball’s elite. The 39-year-old veteran, currently in his 22nd NBA season, continues to perform at a high level, averaging 22.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 9 assists per game for the Lakers.
The milestone comes during a season already marked by history, as James earlier became the first father to play alongside his son in an NBA game when he shared the court with Bronny James. His career achievements include four NBA championships, four MVP awards, and a record 20 All-Star selections since being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
James acknowledged the significance of both his regular season and combined minutes records, noting that regular season success lays the groundwork for postseason achievements. “You can’t have one without the other,” he remarked, highlighting the interconnected nature of these accomplishments in his decorated career.
