LeBron James is one of one and shattering the mold, running out of NBA records to break.
By staying on the hardwood for at least nine minutes on Thursday night, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar and NBA legend became the league’s all-time leader in minutes played, surpassing other Laker royalty Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding mark of 57,446. Chris Paul (44,050) of the San Antonio Spurs, who is also great friends with LeBron, is the only other active player with at least 40,000.
“It’s a pretty cool honor, obviously, anytime I’m linked with some of the greats that have ever played this game,” James said. “I’ve been available to my teammates. I’ve been able to do this at a high level over two decades. And to continue to put myself in record books in this game of basketball that I love so much and in the best league in the world is pretty cool and it’s very humbling.”
James’ career minutes total settled for now at 57,471 after posting 34 on Thursday, in which he also scored 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds in a 113-100 win over the Sacramento Kings.
Los Angeles Lakers first-year coach JJ Redick congratulated the 39-year-old star in the locker room in front of the team.
James, who turns 40 on Monday, December 30, had already eclipsed Abdul-Jabbar in points more than a year ago and is still closing in on field goals. Abdul-Jabbar retired in 1989 with 15,837, while James entered Thursday sitting at 15,045.
It is worth pointing out that James was the NBA leader in minutes combined from the regular season and postseason before Thursday. With 69,295 minutes logged in games that count, James has spent roughly a month and a half’s worth of time on an NBA court. That total is higher than the career marks of James Worthy and Dennis Rodman combined.
Every record that LeBron is able to capture further cements his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever pick up a basketball, however, this record comes at a crossroad for the Lakers. After an encouraging start, the team has faltered, losing eight of its last 13 games. The usual iron man James, missed two of those games due to a foot soreness and personal reasons, returning on Sunday.
Embed from Getty Images“His voice is what we missed the two games that he was out — on both ends of the floor,” said Anthony Davis, who finished with 21 points and season highs in rebounds (19) and blocks (6). “I mean, he’s a natural-born leader when it comes to the game, and when it’s time where it might seem chaotic, he’s able to kind of take control and just get us into something and we try to execute as good as possible.”
This season could be significant for James, and not just because he was finally able to play with his son Bronny. After winning the title in the Orlando Bubble in 2020, the Lakers have had their struggles while trying to compete with James as their best player, going as far as hiring his podcast partner JJ Redick as their head coach despite a near-total lack of coaching experience. More than most seasons, their success in 2024-25 comes down to James and what his influence brings them.
“For the group, I really felt like this might be my favorite win we’ve had all season,” Redick said.
Added Davis: “We’re playing desperate — especially on the defensive end. And it’s showing.”
James could also enter free agency this offseason if he declines his $52.6 million player option, or simply chooses to retire after 22 years in the game he loves after years of speculation.
Los Angeles will stay in Sacramento to finish off the two-game set Saturday, but James said he was not ready to look ahead to that contest just yet.
“I just set the all-time-leading [mark] in minutes, I am not thinking about this next game yet,” he said. “I’m about to get to this [hotel] room, drink some wine, play some Madden and chill the f— out.”
