LeBron James Becomes NBA's All-Time Leader in Minutes Played
LeBron James made history Thursday by becoming the NBA's all-time leader in minutes played, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 57,446 minutes. By logging at least nine minutes in the game, James achieved the milestone and finished the night with 57,471 career minutes, scoring 19 points, dishing seven assists, and grabbing six rebounds in the Lakers’ 113-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Among active players, only Chris Paul has crossed the 40,000-minute threshold, with 44,050 minutes.
At 39 years old, James continues to shatter records, having already surpassed Abdul-Jabbar's all-time points total over a year ago and steadily approaching the legendary center's career field goals made. James entered Thursday with 15,045 field goals, compared to Abdul-Jabbar's 15,837. Additionally, James had already been the leader in combined regular-season and postseason minutes, boasting an extraordinary 69,295 minutes—more than the combined totals of Hall of Famers James Worthy and Dennis Rodman.
This milestone underscores James' place among the greatest basketball players in history, yet it comes during a turbulent time for the Lakers. After a promising start to the season, the team has struggled, losing eight of its last 13 games. James himself missed two games due to a foot injury, but his return has been crucial as the Lakers aim to regain their footing. The team's success this season heavily depends on James, who, notably, has had the opportunity to share the court with his son Bronny for the first time.
Looking ahead, James faces significant decisions about his future. He holds a $52.6 million player option for next season, allowing him to either enter free agency or potentially retire, fueling ongoing speculation about his plans. After winning a championship in 2020, the Lakers have struggled to maintain their competitiveness, placing even greater importance on James' leadership and impact during the 2024-25 season.