LeBron James: 'It's an honor to be able to live these moments' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James passed Karl Malone as the NBA's second all-time leading scorer last night, in the losing effort against the Washington Wizards.

Player of the Game EFF 26 Tomas Satoransky Points 16 Accuracy 6-6 Rebounds 3 Assists 6

"King James" finished the game with 38 points (12/19 2PT, 4/10 3PT, 2/3 FT) to go along with 10 rebounds and 6 assists.

The 37-year-old four-time NBA champion and regular-season MVP scored on a cutting layup with 5:20 left in the second quarter to move past Malone with 36,930 points. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sits atop the league's all-time scoring list at 38,387 points.

"Just to be part of this league the many years I've been a part of it, and being linked to some of the greatest who've ever played this game and guys I've ever watched or studied or read about or aspired to be like," James said, per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

"I'm just always lost for words for it. It's an honor for myself, for my hometown, for my family and friends to be able to live these moments throughout this journey. And that's exactly who I do it for."

James, though, says he will not think about chasing Abdul-Jabbar. The record should arrive itself.

"I will not allow myself to think about it," the 18-time NBA All-Star spoke. "I've always just played the game the way I've been playing it over the years, and these things have just happened organically by just going out and just playing the game the right way. Trying to win every game, playing the right way, playing for your teammates and things of that nature."

"So, I hope to accomplish that at some point in my career, but I won't think about it too much pretty much until we get there hopefully," James added.

Carmelo Anthony did not spare nice words for his friend and teammate post-game as well.

"I'm still in awe to be alongside him (LeBron James) while he's still doing what he's doing at a high level," said Anthony, who came into the league with James in the same draft class.

"Especially coming from somebody who was not, you know, 'known' for, as they say, scoring. Now to have the chance to be the No. 1 all-time scorer in the history of the NBA, somebody who has been doing it for 19 seasons at an all-time high, and somebody who just embraced the moment. When I was younger, I used to think, 'Ain't nobody catching Karl Malone. Nobody catching Kareem.'"

"Take your hat off to LeBron for being able to do what he's done in his career thus far," finished Carmelo Anthony.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.