LeBron James breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's incredible playoff record
LeBron James racked up a lot of points – 44, to be exact — in leading the Cavaliers to a 111-102 win over the Celtics in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
But he made history with two of them that came midway through the second quarter Monday night.
When James’ 22-foot jump shot went in, it represented the 2,357th made field goal of his postseason career, moving him ahead of the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time lead in that category.
44 POINTS.
Last night @KingJames notched his sixth 40-point game of the postseason while passing Kareem for the most field goals in NBA playoff history.#StriveForGreatness🚀 https://t.co/M3FHyVAUMC
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 22, 2018
His game-end total of 2,368 puts him 12 ahead of Kareem and tops Michael Jordan by 180 — although the Bulls legend played in 53 fewer games.
“Listen, any time I’m in the same breath with the greats, I know you guys hear me say it over and over, it’s just humbling,” LeBron told reporters after the game.
“I was a kid and I watched the playoffs so much and I was like, I would love to be a part of that, that moment, that atmosphere,” he added. “I think it’s pretty cool. You hear the scoring, the field goals made — and for a kid who really doesn’t care much about scoring.”
For a kid who really doesn’t care much about scoring, LeBron has taken a lot of shots — more than anyone in NBA playoff history. His career total of 4,834 field goal attempts is far ahead of No. 2 Kobe Bryant (4,499), No. 3 Jordan (4,497) and No. 4 Abdul-Jabbar (4,422).
The field goals made mark is just the latest postseason record for the 33-year-old James.
In last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, he passed Jordan for first on the all-time playoff scoring list. LeBron also ranks No. 1 all time in postseason minutes and steals.
And he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
The 2018 postseason has been one of James’ best, as he’s averaging a playoff career-high 33.7 points and nine assists to go along with 8.7 rebounds and a 55 percent field goal percentage.
“It’s something that people shouldn’t take for granted,” Celtics center Al Horford said. “He’s doing great things.”
Another game, another example of all-time greatness. LeBron James passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most playoff field goals a year after passing Michael Jordan for most playoff points.
Not a scorer by the way. pic.twitter.com/FpLGibHcoO
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 22, 2018
With their victory Monday night, the Cavs evened the series at 2-2, and the momentum is on their side heading into Game 5 Wednesday night at TD Center.
“We know it’s going to be a hostile environment,” James said. “We know their fans are going to be very energetic. But we have to just have our same mindset we had when we came home for these two games. If our minds are there, we put ourselves in a position to be victorious.”
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