(VIDEO) LeBron James Surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Most Career Field Goals Made in NBA History

LeBron James etched another indelible mark in NBA history Thursday night, March 5, 2026, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career field goals made with his 15,838th successful shot during the Los Angeles Lakers' 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. The milestone came on a signature baseline turnaround jumper over Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji with 12.3 seconds left in the first quarter, capping a sequence where James tied the record earlier in the period with a two-handed dunk off a Luka Dončić pass.

The bucket pushed James to 15,838 made field goals in his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, one more than Abdul-Jabbar's 15,837 when the Hall of Fame center retired in 1989 after 20 seasons. Karl Malone sits third all-time with 13,528. The achievement underscores James' remarkable longevity and scoring consistency — he now leads the league in career field goals, field goals attempted (over 31,000) and total points (43,111 regular-season entering the game, with playoff totals pushing him past 50,000 combined).

James entered the contest needing just three makes to claim the record. He delivered the tying dunk early in the first, then sealed the mark with the fadeaway — a shot echoing the step-back jumper he used to pass Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time scoring crown on Feb. 7, 2023. The crowd in Denver offered a respectful ovation, and the arena video board replayed the moment as play paused briefly.

Despite the historic night, the Lakers fell short against the defending champion Nuggets, who got 28 points each from All-Stars Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić. James finished with 16 points (7-of-11 shooting), five rebounds, eight assists, three steals and a block in 32 minutes before exiting late with a minor elbow injury that sidelined him for the final possessions. The loss dropped Los Angeles to a precarious position in the Western Conference standings, but the record provided a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season.

The milestone highlights James' evolution from explosive slasher to efficient mid-range and post scorer. Unlike Abdul-Jabbar's dominance with the skyhook, James' volume comes from a versatile arsenal — drives, pull-ups, floaters and increasingly reliable jumpers. His career field-goal percentage hovers around 50.5%, reflecting elite efficiency over more than two decades.

Abdul-Jabbar held the field goals record for 37 years, a testament to his scoring prowess as a 7-foot-2 center. James, now 41, needed fewer seasons to eclipse it thanks to ironman durability — he has played in over 1,500 regular-season games and missed relatively few due to injury. The record adds to James' resume: all-time leading scorer (regular season), playoff scoring leader, most All-Star selections, most 30-point games in playoffs and now most field goals.

Postgame, James reflected humbly on the accomplishment in brief comments to reporters. "It's special to be in conversations with legends like Kareem," he said. "This game is about longevity, consistency and loving what you do every day. Grateful to still be out here competing at this level." Teammates, including Dončić (acquired in a blockbuster trade), praised the moment as inspirational.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement congratulating James: "LeBron's pursuit of excellence continues to redefine what's possible in our league. This record is a tribute to his skill, work ethic and enduring impact."

Fans and analysts flooded social media with reactions, many calling it another GOAT-level feat. Clips of the jumper went viral, with highlights showing the arena reaction and James' subtle celebration — a nod to the crowd and point to the sky.

The record arrives amid James' push for another deep playoff run. Despite the loss, the Lakers remain in contention, bolstered by James' leadership and production. As he chases further milestones — including potential 50,000 regular-season points — this field goals mark stands as proof of sustained brilliance across eras.

James' journey from Akron prodigy to NBA elder statesman continues rewriting the record book, one bucket at a time.