Hot! LeBron James Breaks NBA Record for Career Minutes
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has added another monumental achievement to his illustrious career, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leader in minutes played. This milestone came during the Lakers’ 113–100 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, cementing James’ legacy as one of the league’s most durable and consistent players. Breaking Kareem’s […]
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has added another monumental achievement to his illustrious career, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leader in minutes played. This milestone came during the Lakers’ 113–100 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night, cementing James’ legacy as one of the league’s most durable and consistent players.
Breaking Kareem’s Longstanding Record
Abdul-Jabbar, who retired in 1989 with a record of 57,446 career minutes, held the top spot for over three decades. LeBron played 34 minutes in Thursday’s game, bringing his career total to 57,471 minutes across 1,517 games.
This achievement adds to LeBron’s extensive list of records, including his distinction as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a title he claimed earlier in the 2023 season, also surpassing Abdul-Jabbar.
Reflecting on Longevity and Commitment
Following the game, LeBron credited his success to his unwavering dedication to the sport:
“It’s just a commitment to the craft and to the passion and love I have for the game,” James shared. “I don’t take much time in the offseason. A little bit more time now, but it’s always been about keeping my body in tip-top shape.”
LeBron’s commitment has allowed him to remain a dominant force in the league since being drafted directly out of high school in 2003 as the No. 1 overall pick. His total time on the court, including a record 11,838 playoff minutes, now exceeds 70,000 total minutes, equivalent to nearly 1,458 full games.
Chasing More Lakers History
In addition to breaking the minutes record, LeBron also reached another milestone by surpassing 10,000 career points with the Lakers, placing him at No. 13 in the franchise’s history. He is on pace to surpass Hall of Famers Vern Mikkelsen (10,062 points), George Mikan (10,156 points), and Jamaal Wilkes (10,601 points) later this season, solidifying his place among the Lakers’ greats.
A Career Defined by Records
LeBron’s career is filled with unprecedented achievements. Alongside being the all-time leader in points and minutes, he also holds records for:
- Field-goal attempts
- Turnovers
Additionally, he ranks:
- 4th in assists
- 8th in steals
- 29th in rebounds
The Top Five in Career Minutes Played
LeBron now leads a prestigious list of NBA legends:
- LeBron James – 57,471 minutes (and counting)
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 57,446 minutes
- Karl Malone – 54,852 minutes
- Dirk Nowitzki – 51,368 minutes
- Kevin Garnett – 50,418 minutes
Legacy and Durability
LeBron’s record-breaking achievement is a testament to his durability, work ethic, and adaptability. As he continues to defy age and expectations, fans and analysts alike marvel at how he maintains peak performance in his 21st NBA season. He also holds the NBA records for career field-goal attempts and turnovers while ranking fourth in assists, eighth in steals and 29th in rebounds. Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989 with 57,446 minutes played. Karl Malone (54,852), Dirk Nowitzki (51,368) and Kevin Garnett (50,418) round out the top five.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
With over two decades of excellence and no signs of slowing down, LeBron James continues to redefine greatness, proving why he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
