By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Photos: LA Lakers, Bleacher Report, Getty Images/Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE
and Andrew D. Bernstein/NBA Via Getty Images
Before an audience that included among many, his mom Gloria – who raised him as a single mother- his wife Savannah and their three children, music mogul Jay Z, and NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James made NBA History – and Black History – in one night.
On Tuesday night, James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in the Lakers’ home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In doing so he surpassed the record that Abdul-Jabbar – a six-time NBA MVP – had held for 39 years.
James hit the record-breaking points with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter. It was his 36th point of the game and 38,388th of his career. League officials paused the game after the moment as his mom, wife and children came to the court to help celebrate.
“I just want to say thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind,” James said. He then asked packed audience at sold-out Crypto.com Arena to giive Abdul-Jabbar a standing ovation.
“Everybody that’s ever been a part of this run with me the last … 20-plus years, I just want to say I thank you so much, because I wouldn’t be me without y’all.”
On Wednesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issues a statement congratulating James on his achievement.
“Congratulations to LeBron on breaking one of the most hallowed records in all of sports by becoming the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. It’s a towering achievement that speaks to his sustained excellence over 20 seasons in the league. And quite amazingly, LeBron continues to play at an elite level and his basketball history is still being written.”
