Lebron James displayed a monster game on Thursday and scored 44 points against the Portland Trailblazers and pass Wilt Chamberlain in the top 5 NBA all-time scoring list.
James also chose Thursday as a great day to pass the mark. By scoring 44 points, he became the first Lakers player to score that many games since Kobe Bryant’s 60 in his final game in 2016 and D’Angelo Russell’s 40 in 2017. Chamberlain made the record in the 1960s and 70s and won two NBA championships, in 1967 and 1972.
“Anytime my name is mentioned with some of the greats to play the game, I always think back to my hometown where I have come from and how I’ve come,” – James said. “He (Chamberlain) is one of the most dominant forces we have ever had in our game along with Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal). He is one of the greatest Lakers to ever play the game, one of the greatest scorers and rebounders ever.”
Lakers Coach Luke Walton said, “It is important to recognize milestones in the game, to do what he did and get in the top five of that list and play (the) way he plays, how unselfish he is, is something that should be praised and talked about.”
With 10 rebounds and nine assists, James almost hit a triple-double as the Lakers beat the Portland Trailblazers 126-117. The 33-year-old now has 31,425 career points and less than 8,000 to reach Kareem Abdul Jabbar’s number one spot. Mike Jordan ranks fourth, while Kobe Bryant and Karl Malone rank third and second respectively.
