LeBron James has officially surpassed Michael Jordan’s long-standing record for the most 30-point games in NBA history during the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent win over the Atlanta Hawks. With a turnaround jumper that hit the mark with just under six minutes left in the game, James scored his 30th point, marking his 563rd game with at least 30 points. This achievement breaks Jordan’s record set back in 2003.
Jordan amassed his impressive total over 1,072 games during his incredible 15-season career, while James accomplished this in 1,523 games over 22 seasons. James reflected on this milestone, expressing how humbling it is to be mentioned alongside one of his childhood idols. “It’s super-cool,” he remarked, acknowledging the impact Jordan had on his life and career, including his decision to wear the number 23.
At 40 years old, LeBron remains a crucial player in the league and is one of only a few active players who witnessed Jordan’s greatness during his prime years. This connection is something James cherishes deeply.
His teammate Anthony Davis commented on the significant milestone, joking about the time it took LeBron to reach this point, while also emphasizing James’ accomplishments. As a younger player, Davis viewed James as a dominant force, making it clear that he appreciates being part of such a historic moment in basketball.
James’s scoring style showcased some classic elements of Jordan’s game, particularly with his fadeaway jumpers, which he has developed into a reliable move over his career. He noted that while coaches often had reservations about shooting fadeaways, he has dedicated himself to perfecting this part of his game.
Additionally, with this latest achievement, James also surpassed Dirk Nowitzki for the fourth-most games played in NBA history, continuing to add to his legacy. James has shown no signs of slowing down, recently tying Jordan’s mark with a stunning performance where he scored 38 points.
In fact, only three players in NBA history have managed to score at least 30 points in a game after turning 40, including Jordan, who did it four times, and Nowitzki, who did it once. LeBron has already achieved this twice in just a few games into his 40s, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever hit the court.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised James’s performance, highlighting how critical his scoring was in helping the team maintain control of the game. As the current NBA career scoring leader, LeBron continues to shatter longevity records, having scored at least 10 points in 1,253 consecutive games over the last 18 years. His tenacity and talent are a testament to his standing in basketball history.
