LeBron James set a new National Basketball Association record for the most field goals made in league history on Thursday, although his milestone came in a losing effort as the Los Angeles Lakers fell 120–113 to the Denver Nuggets.
James surpassed the previous record of 15,837 field goals held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with a fadeaway jumper in the first quarter of the game.
The 41-year-old forward, who already holds the NBA’s all-time scoring record, reached the milestone during his record 23rd season in the league.
Despite the achievement, the Lakers were unable to secure victory as the Nuggets led from start to finish. The Lakers briefly closed the gap to one point with two minutes remaining, but Denver held on to seal the win.
James finished the game with 16 points but appeared to injure his left elbow late in the fourth quarter after being knocked off the court and landing on the legs of a courtside cameraman.
Play was briefly halted as he was substituted, though he returned to the court for the final two minutes while showing visible discomfort.
Denver’s victory was powered by a standout performance from Nikola Jokić, who recorded another triple-double with 28 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds.
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“They’re a difficult team to beat,” Jokić said after the game. “We scored when we needed.”
The result could have significant implications for playoff positioning. The Lakers currently occupy the final automatic playoff spot in sixth place in the Western Conference, just behind the Nuggets.
They remain two games ahead of the Phoenix Suns, who suffered a narrow 105–103 defeat to the Chicago Bulls earlier on Thursday.
James’ career points tally now stands at well over 43,000, nearly 5,000 more than Abdul-Jabbar, whom he surpassed as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in 2023.
The latest field goal record further highlights the veteran star’s longevity and sustained impact in the league.