LeBron James has now played the most minutes of any player in NBA history, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to seal another incredible all-time record.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar has been away from the team through injury and ‘personal issues’ but returned on Sunday and is now back in the starting five.
On Thursday he started against the Sacramento Kings, and while on the court passed Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 57,446 minutes on court.
Incredibly, that totals over 957 hours of basketball, just shy of 40 days of James’ life.
The rest of the top five is rounded out by players who hung up their cleats long ago, meaning it could yet be a long time until anyone gets close to LeBron – especially given he is still going strong.
Behind Abdul-Jabbar in the all-time list is Karl Malone (54,852), Dirk Nowitzki (51,368) and Kevin Garnett (50,418).
LeBron James (pictured on Thursday) has now played the most minutes in the NBA ever
He is back in the Lakers lineup after taking some time out for injury and ‘personal reasons’
Last year, LeBron broke another of Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time records by becoming the highest points scorer in NBA history – with the man himself watching on from courtside.
Incredibly, James will turn 40 at the end of this month but is still averaging 22.8 points a game and is carrying the Lakers on his back.
Fans will be delighted to have him back on the court after his mysterious recent absence, which was first revealed by coach JJ Redick.
Speaking to reporters last Wednesday, he said: ‘LeBron is not with the team right now. He’s out for personal reasons, excused absence.’
He added that the veteran is ‘taking some time’ and did not have a timeframe for when James would return to the team.
Last year, LeBron broke the all-time scoring record – another held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
James’ absence also came after he has been shrouded in trade rumors.
The Golden State Warriors are said to be monitoring the veteran as they search for a second star to join Steph Curry, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported last week.
‘The Warriors have dreamed of pairing LeBron with Steph Curry and Draymond Green since last year,’ he said on the network’s ‘Get Up.’
‘They’ve made an inquiry and it got shut down last February. That was before LeBron played with Steve Kerr and Steph Curry and won the gold medal over the summer.
‘So, they will definitely monitor the situation, and I don’t think they do anything without knowing this door is locked, but I would just say with LeBron, it’s up to him. He has a no-trade clause and he has given no indication he wants the Lakers to do anything but upgrade the roster they’ve got, not that he wants to go anywhere.’
James fulfilled his dream of playing alongside his son, Bronny, in the NBA this season when the 20-year-old was selected by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 Draft.
LeBron (right) fulfilled a dream this season by playing alongside his son Bronny on the Lakers
They became the first-ever father-son duo to suit up alongside each other in an NBA game during the Lakers’ season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 22.
However, James Jnr. was assigned to the Lakers’ G-League affiliate earlier last month and is expected to move between LA and South Bay this season.
James expressed a desire earlier this season to play in all 82 games, but both he and the Lakers are now being practical with the inevitable minor injuries that arise during any season.
However, earlier this week, Redick also said that he is in constant communication with both James and his athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, about managing the four-time MVP’s workload as his 40th birthday looms.
