LeBron James breaks NBA minutes record held by Lakers legend Abdul-Jabbar, but suffers worst defeat of his career

LeBron James ticked past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for another NBA record on Monday, a night that also marked his worst defeat in a 20-year career.

James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar’s league mark for total minutes played at 66,298 in the first quarter of the LA Lakers’ game with the Philadelphia 76ers. It was LA’s heaviest defeat in 290 games.

The minutes record, which Lakers icon Abdul-Jabbar set at 66,297, includes regular-season and playoff games.

James eased past Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time NBA scoring record held by the legendary Bucks and Lakers centre until last season. James became the first NBA player with 39,000 career points and continues to distance himself from the former record of 38,387 points.

Abdul-Jabbar still leads James and Wilt Chamberlain for the league record for field goals made (15,837). James started Monday night with 14,304. He holds the record for field goals made in the playoffs with 2,872.

James is fourth on the NBA’s all-time assists list behind Chris Paul, Jason Kidd and record-holder John Stockton (15,806).

The 76ers defeated the Lakers for the seventh straight time after a 44-point victory on Monday night. Photo: AFP

His most recent record-breaking game, however, was overshadowed by the worst loss in his 20-year career.

By the time Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid clinched a triple-double in the third quarter, the 76ers were well on their way to a 138-94 win, putting the Lakers at a 44-point deficit.

James has lost big before. His Miami Heat once got trounced by 36 points in the NBA Finals. The Indiana Pacers beat James and the Lakers by 42 in 2019. But this blowout was an all-timer, especially for James, who failed to grab a single rebound.

“What needs to change in order for that to not happen again? A lot,” James said. “We got killed on the three-point line. They made shots. Give them credit.”

The 76ers led by 25 in the first half and finished the game with 22 three-pointers to just seven for the Lakers. Even when Embiid sat out for the entire fourth quarter, Philadelphia still outscored them 40-14.

Monday’s game was the seventh straight win for the 76ers against the Lakers.