The longer LeBron James plays, the more he becomes a threat to other all-time NBA records. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar inched closer to the top of the league’s all-time mark for most games played when he surpassed the legendary Karl Malone for sixth place on the list by simply appearing on the floor versus the Sacramento Kings
Via ClutchPoints:
Tonight, LeBron James surpasses Karl Malone for 6th place in the all-time list for games played in the NBA 👑
1,477 games in 21 seasons is mindblowing 🤯
James did more than just breathe air inside the court against the Kings. He was brilliant, albeit in a 130-120 loss to Sacramento. Ironically, the Kings were the first team James ever faced in the NBA way back in 2003. James led all Lakers scorers with 31 points while burying 10 of his 16 attempts from the floor. He also dished out 13 dimes to his teammates and grabbed five rebounds in 36 minutes.
James left the game with only four minutes remaining in the fourth period due to a hurting ankle, though, he told reporters after the contest that he’s going to be just fine and that there’s nothing to worry much about his health.
What’s more concerning is the status of the Lakers about their chances to make the playoffs. They are now 10th in the Western Conference standings with a 34-30 record. It did not help them that the Golden State Warriors won on the same night against the Milwaukee Bucks, pushing the Dubs to ninth place in the West.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James Is On Pace To Become The NBA’s All-Time Leader In Games Played
James needs to play in 27 more games to tie Malone’s former Utah Jazz teammate John Stockton (1,504) for sixth on the all-time games played list. If he’s to tie and surpass Stockton, James will not do it this season with only 18 games left on the schedule of the Los Angeles Lakers.
James has a player option he can exercise with the Lakers in the offseason, but there’s no guarantee that he’d either pick that up or sign an extension with LA. In any case, James is only 134 games away from tying Robert Parish (1,611) for the most games played in a career in the NBA.
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