In a historic night for the NBA, LeBron James etched his name into the record books once again. The Los Angeles Lakers star became the league’s all-time leader in regular season minutes played, surpassing the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. James’ milestone moment came during a critical 113-100 win over the Sacramento Kings that keeps the Lakers’ playoff hopes alive.
Making History, One Minute at a Time
With 34 minutes logged against the Kings, LeBron James brought his career total to 57,471 minutes, eclipsing Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 57,446. It’s a testament to James’ incredible longevity and consistency over his illustrious 22-year career. At 39, he’s the oldest active player in the NBA but continues to perform at an elite level.
It’s a pretty cool honor, obviously, anytime I’m linked with some of the greats that have ever played this game.
— LeBron James on breaking the all-time minutes record
Leading the Lakers’ Charge
James’ presence was vital in the Lakers securing a much-needed win over the Kings. His leadership and poise helped steady the ship for a team that had been reeling, losing seven of their previous nine games. James finished with 19 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds in a vintage all-around performance.
His teammate Anthony Davis also stepped up big with 21 points, a season-high 18 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Davis praised James’ leadership after the game:
His voice is what we missed the two games that he was out — on both ends of the floor. He’s a natural-born leader when it comes to the game.
— Anthony Davis on LeBron James’ impact
Keeping the Faith Alive
The win improved the Lakers’ record to 29-37, still on the outside looking in at the playoffs but refusing to fade away quietly. They’ve now won three of their last four games with their defense tightening up significantly during that stretch.
- Lakers now 29-37 on the season
- 3 wins in last 4 games after losing 7 of previous 9
- Defense a key factor in the turnaround
To make a serious postseason push, they’ll need James healthy and at his best. After missing eight days with a foot injury, he’s returned with solid performances in back-to-back wins. But the toll of so many minutes is undeniable on his 39-year-old body.
The Lakers remain a longshot to make noise in the loaded Western Conference this season. However, with LeBron James rewriting the history books and willing his team to victories, anything remains possible. The King’s reign endures, one record-setting minute at a time.
