
When Kareem Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989, he left the NBA with a record that many felt would never be broken. The Hall of Famer ended his playing career with 38,387 points, putting him alone atop the league’s all-time scoring list.
More than three decades later, another Lakers star is nearing Abdul-Jabbar’s incredible mark. LeBron James is on pace to pass Abdul-Jabbar and widen the gap between the two basketball legends before the end of the 2022-23 season.
How many more points does James need? And when is he projected to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer? Let’s run through the latest numbers.
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When will LeBron James pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on all-time scoring list?
- Abdul-Jabbar career points: 38,387
- James career points: 38,230
- Points needed to pass Abdul-Jabbar: 158
- Current scoring average: 29.9 points per game
- Games needed to pass Abdul-Jabbar: 6
At his current scoring average, James would pass Abdul-Jabbar on Tuesday, Feb. 7, when the Lakers face the Thunder in Los Angeles. At his career scoring average of 27.2 points per game, James would pass Abdul-Jabbar on that same date.
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However, it’s worth noting that James has been listed on the Lakers’ injury report throughout the season with ankle soreness, and Los Angeles has an upcoming back-to-back set. James could potentially miss games and alter that projection.
Lakers upcoming schedule
The Lakers have 10 more games on their schedule before NBA All-Star Weekend. They will be begin a five-game road trip on Saturday, Jan. 28.
Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
Jan. 28 | at Celtics | 8:30 p.m. |
Jan. 30 | at Nets | 7:30 p.m. |
Jan. 31 | at Knicks | 7:30 p.m. |
Feb. 2 | at Pacers | 7 p.m. |
Feb. 4 | at Pelicans | 8 p.m. |
Feb. 7 | vs. Thunder | 10:30 p.m. |
Feb. 9 | vs. Bucks | 10 p.m. |
Feb. 11 | at Warriors | 8:30 p.m. |
Feb. 13 | at Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. |
Feb. 15 | vs. Pelicans | 10 p.m. |
NBA all-time scoring list
James passed Karl Malone to move into second place on the all-time scoring list in March 2022. The only other active player in the top 10 is Carmelo Anthony, who is currently a free agent.
Kevin Durant is sitting at No. 14, but he could pass multiple players ahead of him by the end of the regular season if he stays healthy.
Rank | Player | Points |
1. | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 |
2. | LeBron James | 38,230 |
3. | Karl Malone | 36,928 |
4. | Kobe Bryant | 33,643 |
5. | Michael Jordan | 32,292 |
6. | Dirk Nowitzki | 31,560 |
7. | Wilt Chamberlain | 31,419 |
8. | Shaquille O’Neal | 28,596 |
9. | Carmelo Anthony | 28,289 |
10. | Moses Malone | 27,409 |
11. | Elvin Hayes | 27,313 |
12. | Hakeem Olajuwon | 26,946 |
13. | Oscar Robertson | 26,710 |
14. | Kevin Durant | 26,684 |
15. | Dominique Wilkins | 26,668 |
LeBron James career scoring average
After averaging 20.9 points per game as a rookie with the Cavaliers in 2003-04, James has posted at least 25 points per game in every other season of his career.
He won the scoring title in 2007-08 when he averaged 30 points per game. He has cleared the 30-point threshold in two other seasons (2005-06 and 2021-22).
Season | Points per game | Total points |
2003-04 | 20.9 | 1,654 |
2004-05 | 27.2 | 2,175 |
2005-06 | 31.4 | 2,478 |
2006-07 | 27.3 | 2,132 |
2007-08 | 30.0 | 2,250 |
2008-09 | 28.4 | 2,304 |
2009-10 | 29.7 | 2,258 |
2010-11 | 26.7 | 2,111 |
2011-12 | 27.1 | 1,683 |
2012-13 | 26.8 | 2,036 |
2013-14 | 27.1 | 2,089 |
2014-15 | 25.3 | 1,743 |
2015-16 | 25.3 | 1,920 |
2016-17 | 26.4 | 1,954 |
2017-18 | 27.5 | 2,251 |
2018-19 | 27.4 | 1,505 |
2019-20 | 25.3 | 1,698 |
2020-21 | 25.0 | 1,126 |
2021-22 | 30.3 | 1,695 |
2022-23 | 29.9 | 1,168 |
Career | 27.2 | 38,230 |