NBA Top Five Performances, Feb. 7: LeBron James Becomes the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer

TOP PLAYER(S) OF THE DAY

The Los Angeles Lakers took a tough loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night.

But of course, no one will be highlighting the Lakers’ defeat. Instead, the NBA world celebrated LeBron James becoming the league’s all-time leader in points scored.

38,388 POINTS

LeBron James hits the fadeaway jumper to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer! #ScoringKing pic.twitter.com/P5LyTZAZn3
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2023

James received a standing ovation and gave a speech after hitting his 36th point of the night.

“Thank you to the Laker Faithful, you guys are one of a kind,” James said. “To be in the presence of a legend like Kareem means so much to me. To everyone that’s ever been with me the last 20+ years, I thank you so much because I wouldn’t be me without y’all. All your help, passion and sacrifices helped me get to this point. To the NBA, to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed about. I would’ve never in a million years dreamt this even better. So, f*** man, thank you guys!”

A lifetime of work leading to this moment.

Dreams to reality for the all-time #ScoringKing pic.twitter.com/y26vNTsNSE
— NBA (@NBA) February 8, 2023

OTHERS:

- Cam Thomas made NBA history, becoming the youngest player with three consecutive 40-point performances. Thomas had 43 points in the Nets’ close loss to the Phoenix Suns, continuing to shine in the departure of Kyrie Irving.

- Brandon Ingram had 30 points in his return against the Atlanta Hawks, helping the Pelicans get their third consecutive victory.

- Ja Morant’s 34-point performance against the Chicago Bulls helped the Memphis Grizzlies snap a three-game losing streak.

- Nikola Jokic had 20 points, 12 rebounds and 16 assists in the Nuggets’ blowout win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Jokic added to his MVP case with his 19th triple-double of the season.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.