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How many points does LeBron James need to pass Kareem vs Thunder?

By Jason Reed

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 02: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 02, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James is honing in on the all-time scoring title as he enters Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder within striking distance of officially passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387.

It is a record that has stood for over three decades and at the rate that LeBron is playing, his eventual scoring record will likely stand for even more decades. NBA fans should pause and soak in the moment as LeBron is about to break the most prominent record in league history.

But will he break it on Tuesday or Thursday? He certainly can do so with a big game against the Thunder, as he is not very far off after scoring 27 points against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

How many points does LeBron James need to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

LeBron James needs to score 36 points against the Thunder on Tuesday night in order to break the record. LeBron enters the contest 35 points behind Abdul-Jabbar with 38,352 points.

This is definitely an obtainable number for LeBron to break on Tuesday night if he really puts his head down and chases the record. LeBron is averaging 30 points per game this season, which would put him just six points behind the all-time record so he could break it on Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks.

James has played the Thunder seven times since joining the Lakers and has never scored 36 points in a game against them. The most that LeBron has scored against OKC as a Laker is 33 points, which he accomplished last season. Overall, he averages 25.6 points against the Thunder as a Laker.

LeBron has scored 36 points or more nine times this season as well. His last 36-point game came in the controversial loss to the Boston Celtics, in which he dropped 41 points on national television.

LeBron has averaged 28.4 points per game since Anthony Davis returned from his foot injury. In every other game besides the loss to the Celtics, LeBron scored less than 20 points.

36 is certainly an obtainable number for LeBron James if he really wants it but based on recent trends, it seems much more likely that he breaks the record on Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks.