LeBron James made NBA history on Friday night, breaking Michael Jordan’s long-standing record for 30-point games during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
James scored his final points on a turnaround jumper with 5:58 left, marking his 563rd career 30-point game in the regular season, surpassing Jordan’s record set in 2003. Jordan achieved the milestone in 1,072 games across 15 seasons, while James reached it in his 1,523rd appearance during his 22nd season.
“It’s very humbling,” James said postgame. “Anytime I’m mentioned with any of the greats, and arguably the greatest ever to play the game, it’s super cool. MJ was my idol growing up, and I wear 23 because of him. To be in the conversation with him is surreal.”
James, who turned 40 last week, is one of the few active players who witnessed Jordan’s prime with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s. Growing up in Akron, Ohio, James studied and admired Jordan, calling him “an inspiration” and a reason he pursued basketball. When James passed Jordan for fourth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list in 2019, the moment brought him to tears.
The Lakers celebrated James’ accomplishment in the locker room postgame, with teammate Anthony Davis offering perspective.
“It bothers me a little,” Davis joked. “It took him seven more seasons. But honestly, LeBron was my guy growing up. This is just another incredible accomplishment. He’s probably No. 1 in everything now, and I’m grateful to witness it firsthand.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick also praised James’ contributions to the team’s win. “That stretch where he hit two fadeaways and a 3 late in the game gave us the cushion we needed,” Redick said. “It’s just another testament to his greatness and longevity.”
James’ final buckets—two fadeaway jumpers—paid homage to the midrange game that was a hallmark of Jordan’s career. While youth coaches discouraged James from emulating Jordan’s signature move due to balance concerns, James perfected it over his career.
“(Jordan) was more of a left-shoulder fadeaway guy, and I kind of go the opposite way,” James explained. “It’s just about putting in work to make it unguardable.”
James also surpassed Dirk Nowitzki for fourth in NBA history for regular-season games played (1,523) Friday night, adding to his record as the all-time leader in postseason games played (287).
Earlier in the week, James tied Jordan’s 30-point record with a 38-point performance against Portland, becoming one of only three players to score 30 points in an NBA game after turning 40. Jordan achieved the feat four times, Nowitzki once, and James twice in his first five days as a 40-year-old.
James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, continues to rewrite the record books. His streak of scoring at least 10 points in 1,253 consecutive games obliterated Jordan’s previous record of 866. For James, each milestone is another chapter in his storied career that shows no signs of slowing down.
