Topic / Subject

LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career field-goals record, but the night ended with a Lakers loss and an elbow injury scare.

TL;DR

LeBron made history, then gave the Lakers something else to worry about. The record is real, but the bigger follow-up story is his left elbow after Los Angeles fell to Denver.

Key Details

• LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most made field goals in NBA history

• Per Reuters, the Lakers lost 120-113 to the Nuggets

• LeBron exited late with a left elbow injury

• The milestone is official, but his short-term status was the bigger immediate concern

Breakdown

LeBron got the record, and for about five seconds that was the headline.

Per NBA.com, James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most made field goals in league history. It is another ridiculous milestone in a career already crowded with them, and it adds one more all-time marker to a resume that stopped feeling normal a long time ago.

But the mood changed fast. Per Reuters, the Lakers lost 120-113 to Denver, and LeBron left late with a left elbow injury. That instantly shifted the story from celebration to concern.

That is how it goes with the Lakers right now. Milestones are big, but availability is bigger. The record is locked in forever. The elbow issue is what could affect the next few days, and possibly the next stretch of games.

What to Watch Next

• The Lakers’ next injury update on LeBron’s elbow

• Whether he is listed as day to day or faces a longer absence

• How Los Angeles manages its next game if he is limited

Sources

NBA.com — LeBron James breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA record for career field goals

Reuters/Field Level Media — LeBron James sets all-time field-goal mark in Lakers loss to Nuggets

Comment

How worried are you about LeBron’s elbow after this one?