LeBron James moves past Wilt Chamberlain for fifth on the all-time scoring list as he scores 44 points, grabs 10 rebounds, and hands out nine assists to lead the Lakers past the Trail Blazers.
LeBron James hit another career milestone on Wednesday night as he passed Wilt Chamberlain for fifth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
The King passes the Big Dipper.@KingJames is now the fifth-highest scorer in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/XHDXoMVCsW
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 15, 2018
James reached 31,420 career points with an and-one free throw in the fourth quarter to pass Chamberlain.
James, 33, now sits directly behind Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
James finished the game with a season-high 44 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers’ 126-117 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. His 44 points were the most a Laker has scored in a game since Kobe Bryant’s 60-point performance in the final game of his career.
👑 @KingJames walking off with 3️⃣1️⃣,4️⃣2️⃣5️⃣points and the 5th spot on the @NBA all-time scoring list! pic.twitter.com/FzXtV4R9lp
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 15, 2018
“It’s all about hard work.” @KingJames (44p/10r/9a/@Lakers W) walks off as the 5th all-time leading scorer in @NBAHistory! #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/Z6ZZwhs4J7
— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2018
Congratulations to @KingJames for passing Laker great Wilt Chamberlain to become 5th all-time leading scorer in NBA history!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 15, 2018
The historic game ball and James’ uniform will be donated to the I Promise School in Akron, LeBron announced after the game.
After the game, James reflected on this history of the game, but wasn’t about to reflect too much on what it meant to pass Chamberlain wearing a Lakers jersey.
🎥 @KingJames reflects on his 44-point game, passing Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list, and overcoming a 13-point deficit vs. Portland. pic.twitter.com/ohR3VpmtyE
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 15, 2018
“One of the most dominant forces we ever had in our game along with Shaq,” James said of Chamberlain. “One of the greatest Lakers ever to play the game. One hundred point scorer. One of the greatest scorers, rebounders to ever play this game. Multi-sport/dimensional type of athlete. People had never seen something like that in that era. So just dominant in all walks of life, not only just basketball but period.”
“I don’t know how I feel right now,” James said. “I’m happy we were able to get another win. But any time my name is mentioned with some of the greats that have played this game, I always think back to my hometown, where I come from and how far I’ve come.”
