LeBron James field goals record is now the NBA’s new benchmark after the Los Angeles Lakers star surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most made field goals in league history on Thursday.
James reached the milestone with a first-quarter fadeaway jumper. However, the night ended in defeat as the Lakers fell 120-113 to the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets led from start to finish, even though the Lakers trimmed the gap to one point with about two minutes remaining.
"Another record in the legendary career of Lebron James." 👑
Every angle of LeBron's record-breaking jumper, setting a new all‑time mark in field goals made! pic.twitter.com/97bZQx6ffW
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2026Nikola Jokic powered Denver with another triple-double, finishing with 28 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds. He called the Lakers “a difficult team to beat,” adding that the Nuggets “scored when we needed.”
James scored 16 points and appeared to suffer a left elbow injury in the fourth quarter after being knocked off balance and landing awkwardly near courtside. He briefly left the game, then returned for the final two minutes while visibly uncomfortable.
The result could matter in the playoff race, with the Lakers sitting in the final automatic playoff spot in sixth, just behind the Nuggets. The Lakers are also reported to be two games clear of the Phoenix Suns after Phoenix’s one-possession loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Other NBA highlights: Wembanyama, Warriors, and Flagg
Elsewhere, Victor Wembanyama delivered a huge performance for the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 38 points with 16 rebounds in a 121-106 win over the Detroit Pistons. He called the matchup between top teams “super fun,” noting the Spurs led throughout.
Read: LeBron James Ruled Ineligible for NBA Season Awards
The Golden State Warriors edged the Houston Rockets 115-113 in overtime after a frantic finish that featured repeated lead changes late in regulation.
In another close game, the Orlando Magic beat the Dallas Mavericks 115-114 thanks to late heroics by Jalen Suggs. Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg reached 1,000 career points, becoming the second-youngest player in NBA history to hit the mark—behind only LeBron James, who did it as a teenager in 2004.
