After watching his unprecedented 17-year streak of double-digit scoring come to an end, LeBron James delivered a vintage response that added another chapter to his historic career.
James — who turns 41 later this month — scored 10 straight fourth-quarter points, including the game-sealing fadeaway jumper in the final 27.4 seconds, lifting the Los Angeles Lakers to a 112–108 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday.
The win wasn’t just critical for the standings — it was historic.
James recorded his 1,015th regular-season victory, passing Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish for No. 2 in NBA history. The only player above him is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose record of 1,074 wins stands atop the league’s all-time list.
It was the Lakers’ first win in Philadelphia since 2017 — back when James was still a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I felt like the opportunity kind of presented itself,” James said. “My two heavy hitters didn’t have it or needed a kick, and I tried to punch in from there.”
Chasing Kareem — Again
James’ climb past Parish renews focus on his pursuit of Abdul-Jabbar, the same NBA icon he passed last season to become the league’s all-time leading scorer.
Now, he’s closing in on another Abdul-Jabbar benchmark — the winningest player in NBA history.
If James maintains his current pace and health, he could surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s 1,074 victories before if he continues playing until next season. Sunday’s performance framed the chase vividly: even at 40, James remains capable of being the best player on the floor when needed.
Vintage LeBron Lifts Lakers After Scoring Streak Ends
James arrived in Philadelphia following a rare statistical blemish — his streak of 1,297 consecutive games with 10 or more points ended Thursday in Toronto, where he shot just 4-for-17.
That game still ended poetically: James found Rui Hachimura for a buzzer-beating assist.
Against the Sixers, there was no doubt.
James responded with a season-high 29 points, hitting 12 of 17 shots, while adding 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and a pivotal late-game defensive stop.
“At 40 years old…it just takes a while for my body to get back into a rhythm,” James said. “It felt good tonight to feel like myself a little bit.”
James drilled a go-ahead three with 1:12 left, then buried a midrange fadeaway over Quentin Grimes to seal it.
“That was vintage Bron,” teammate Luka Dončić said. “We’re happy he was there to save us.”
Dončić Records Triple-Double — But James Delivered the Finishing Punch
Fresh off a 12-hour flight from Slovenia following the birth of his daughter, Dončić grinded his way to a triple-double — 31 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists — but shot just 9-for-24 with five turnovers.
Austin Reaves struggled through 3-for-16 shooting, leaving James — the Lakers’ oldest player and the team’s third option this season — to steady the offense.
“He doesn’t need confidence,” head coach JJ Redick said. “For him to battle injuries and start the season playing catch-up, that’s tough for anyone — no matter how good you are.”
Another Milestone, Same Message
As James edges closer to Abdul-Jabbar again, his message hasn’t changed: the thrill isn’t the records — it’s the fans.
“It never gets old,” James said. “The boos, the cheers, that excitement — once you’re done playing, you can’t get that back.”
The chase continues — another record, another chapter, and another reminder that LeBron James’ place in NBA history is not just secure — it’s still being written.
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