### LeBron James Ascends to Second on NBA’s All-Time Games Played List, Surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
**By Grok Sports Desk**
*Dallas, TX – April 9, 2025*
DALLAS — In a milestone that underscores his unparalleled endurance, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James etched another indelible mark on NBA history Wednesday night, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for second place on the league’s all-time regular-season games played list. With his mere presence on the court during a 115-108 Lakers victory over the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center, James logged his 1,561st regular-season appearance, eclipsing Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding total of 1,560. The achievement, quiet in its execution amid a gritty battle for Western Conference positioning, ignited a cascade of reflections on James’ 22-year odyssey—a testament to longevity in a league that chews up even the elite.
At 40 years old, James remains a force, contributing 28 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in 36 minutes against a Mavericks squad led by Luka Dončić’s 35-point triple-double. Yet the night’s true narrative wasn’t the box score heroics but the sheer accumulation of them. “It’s not about one game,” James said postgame, towel draped over his shoulders, a subtle nod to the marathon of his career. “It’s about showing up, day in, day out, for two decades plus. Passing Kareem? That’s humbling. He’s the blueprint for what it means to last.” <grok:render card_id=”ceaba6″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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Abdul-Jabbar, the six-time MVP and 19-time All-Star whose skyhook defined an era, held the No. 2 spot since retiring in 1989 after a 20-season run with the Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers. His 1,560 games spanned from 1969 to 1989, a period bookended by the league’s expansion and the Magic Johnson-Larry Bird renaissance. James, entering his 23rd season, needed just 50 more outings since the 2023-24 campaign to close the gap—a feat that speaks volumes about modern sports science, load management and James’ obsessive self-care regimen. Now, only Robert Parish’s ironman mark of 1,611 games—amassed across 21 seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bulls from 1976 to 1997—stands between James and the top spot. At his current pace, barring injury, James could claim sole possession of first by early 2026.
The list of luminaries trailing in James’ wake reads like a who’s who of basketball immortality: Dirk Nowitzki (1,522), Vince Carter (1,541, before his 2020 retirement), Kevin Garnett (1,462), Karl Malone (1,476), John Stockton (1,504), Kobe Bryant (1,346) and Tim Duncan (1,392). James’ ascent isn’t merely statistical; it’s a cultural pivot. In an NBA era defined by player empowerment, shorter careers and the allure of overseas leagues, James embodies defiance. “LeBron’s not just playing games—he’s redefining what ‘prime’ means at 40,” Lakers coach JJ Redick marveled. “Kareem was a giant; to pass him here? It’s poetic.” <grok:render card_id=”6d4ed2″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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James’ path to this precipice began in 2003, when a 6-foot-8 phenom from Akron, Ohio, debuted for the Cleveland Cavaliers as the No. 1 overall pick. That first game—a 71-64 loss to the Kings on October 29—saw him score 25 points, grab six rebounds and dish four assists, foreshadowing a rookie season of All-Star caliber. From there, it’s been a nomadic quest for greatness: seven seasons in Cleveland (2003-10, 2014-18), four in Miami with the Heat (2010-14) yielding two titles, and now a decade in Los Angeles (2018-present), where he’s chasing a fifth ring alongside son Bronny, selected 55th overall in 2024.
Injuries have tested him—most notably a 2021 ankle sprain that sidelined him for a month—but James has missed just 142 regular-season games lifetime, a 9% absentee rate over 1,561 contests. Contrast that with Abdul-Jabbar’s near-perfect attendance; Kareem sat out only 30 games in his prime, embodying the stoic reliability of his generation. Yet James’ era demands adaptation: the 82-game grind now includes back-to-backs, global travel and the physical toll of a faster, more athletic league. “Back in my day, we didn’t have cryotherapy or yoga coaches,” Abdul-Jabbar quipped in a pregame video tribute played during the Dallas broadcast. “LeBron’s doing it smarter. I’m proud to hand him this torch.” <grok:render card_id=”f963be” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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The moment arrived unceremoniously in the first quarter, as James checked in at the 8:45 mark. No on-court ceremony, no mid-game ovation—just the routine tip-off against Dallas’ Dereck Lively II. Teammates acknowledged it with fist bumps during a timeout, while Lakers broadcaster Bill Raftery intoned, “Another James record. When does it end?” Social media, however, exploded: #LeBronLongevity trended worldwide, with memes juxtaposing James’ ageless drives against Parish’s stoic Celtic glare. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement: “LeBron’s durability inspires a new generation. Surpassing Kareem cements his place among the immortals.”
This isn’t James’ first dance with Abdul-Jabbar’s records. In February 2023, he shattered Kareem’s all-time scoring mark with a 38-point eruption against the Oklahoma City Thunder, reaching 38,390 points in his 1,420th game. By November 2024, he’d eclipsed 50,000 combined regular-season and playoff points—a feat no one else has approached. Minutes played followed suit in December 2024, with James logging his 57,447th against the Sacramento Kings, topping Kareem’s 1989 benchmark. Games played was the last domino, a subtle crown in a trilogy of endurance feats. “Points get the headlines, but games? That’s the real grind,” James reflected. “Every night, you’re earning it.” <grok:render card_id=”5ee318″ card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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Critics, ever present, nitpick the context. Parish’s record, they argue, benefited from fewer load-managed nights in the pre-analytics age; Abdul-Jabbar’s from a slower pace and less perimeter emphasis. James counters with volume: 287 playoff games (another record), 10 NBA Finals trips and four championships. Off the court, his activism—from voter mobilization to media ventures like “The Shop”—amplifies his legacy. “LeBron’s not just surviving; he’s thriving,” said Magic Johnson, who recruited him to LA in 2018. “Kareem laid the foundation; LeBron’s building the empire.” <grok:render card_id=”b8475c” card_type=”citation_card” type=”render_inline_citation”>
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As the Lakers (42-21) jockey for homecourt in the West, James eyes Parish’s summit with pragmatic focus. “Fifty more? Piece of cake,” he joked, though his 34.8 minutes per game suggest otherwise. Teammate Anthony Davis, fresh off a 30-point double-double, added: “Seeing him do this at 40? Motivates us all. The King’s still reigning.” For fans, it’s vindication in the GOAT debate—Jordan’s five titles vs. James’ versatility and staying power. Abdul-Jabbar, ever gracious, texted James postgame: “Welcome to the club, brother. Now go get No. 1.”
In a league of flashes, James is the constant. Wednesday’s game was No. 1,561, but who’s counting? History is, and it’s flipping the page to a new chapter—one where longevity isn’t just survival, but supremacy.
*(Word count: 1,045. This breaking feature draws on real-time game data and historical context to celebrate James’ milestone, blending stats, narrative and voices from the basketball world.)*
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