March 5, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is playing in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Image LeBron James has put the ball in the basket more than any other player in NBA history.
James, 41, is regularly setting records thanks to his longevity, and could add his new career field goal record on Friday night when the Lakers play the struggling Indiana Pacers.
James had 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting in Thursday’s 120-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets. This gives him 15,842 career field goals, five more than the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Abdul-Jabbar set a record of playing in 1,560 games in his career. James passed Abdul-Jabbar for game No. 1,606 with a turnaround jumper late in the first quarter.
“Just the fact that I ended up being associated with some of the greatest players that ever played the game and my name was mentioned was always humbling and pretty cool,” James said. “It’s really cool. I grew up watching, reading and analyzing a lot of great works.”
Lakers coach JJ Reddick said it was surprising that James was still an all-rounder in his early 40s.
“He has a lot of records and has accumulated a lot of assists, rebounds, steals and blocks in his career,” Redick said. “He’s been a complete player for 23 years. It’s still amazing how dynamic he is in transition.”
However, it is unclear whether James will play in Friday’s game after injuring his left elbow in a fall late in the record-setting game. Redick said James will be tested.
James is waiting to see how things will change.
“I’m pretty sore right now,” James said. “… We’ll see what happens every day.”
DeAndre Ayton (left knee) suffered an injury in the first quarter and may not play Friday.
Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 27 points on a night when the club won its third straight win.
The game against Indiana is the start of a five-game homestand for the Lakers.
The Pacers have lost seven straight and have the second-worst record in the NBA (15-47), tied with the Brooklyn Nets. Only the Sacramento Kings (14-50) had a worse score.
The Pacers have lost their last four games by an average of 21.8 points.
Indiana opened its four-game road trip with a 130-107 loss by the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
“We weren’t ready and I take responsibility for that,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of the loss in Inglewood. “I need to get these guys more ready to play on Friday night.”
Pascal Siakam scored 29 points against the Clippers after missing three games with a left wrist injury.
Aaron Nesmith returned from a right ankle injury but was limited to two points on 1-of-8 shooting. He had missed the previous five games.
Nesmith was on the injury report for the game against the Lakers due to ankle and back problems. The Pacers list him as a possibility along with Siakam (wrist) and Andrew Nemhard (back, neck).
Ivica Zubac (sprained left ankle) has not played for Indiana since being acquired in the deal that sent Bennedict Mathurin to the Clippers at the trade deadline. Carlisle said Zubac would do anything for the club.
“Yes, he will play this season.” Carlisle said. “…He’s doing better, but he’s not there yet. And we’re not going to send a player there who’s not 100 percent.”
This match is the first of two matches between the two teams. The rematch in Indianapolis is scheduled for March 25.
The Lakers swept both meetings last season and have won four of the last five matchups.
–Field level media
