LeBron James will soon be the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Like, really soon.
In scoring 27 points in a loss to the Pelicans over the weekend, James now stands at 38,352 career points. That puts him only 36 points from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who is currently the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 career points.
At his current scoring average, James needs only two games to rewrite the record books. Of course, he could do it sooner with a scoring outburst.
With that in mind, here's everything you need to know to watch James make history.
MORE: LeBron James enters top-five on NBA all-time assists list
How close is LeBron James to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record?
Here's where everything stands heading into Tuesday's meeting between the Lakers and Thunder:
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar career points | 38,387 |
| LeBron James career points | 38,352 |
| Points needed to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 36 |
| LeBron James' current scoring average | 30.0 points per game |
| Potential games needed to pass Abdul-Jabbar | 2 |
Assuming it will take him two more games to score 36 points, James is on pace to break Abdul-Jabbar's record when the Lakers face the Bucks on Feb. 9. He has been listed on the Lakers' injury report throughout the season with left ankle soreness, so he could potentially miss games and alter that projection.
How to watch LeBron James break the NBA scoring record
- TV channels: ESPN, TNT, ABC
- Live streaming: NBA League Pass, Sling TV
Four of the Lakers' next five games will be on national television and can be streamed on Sling TV in the United States. The other game can be streamed on NBA League Pass.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
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Lakers upcoming schedule
The Lakers return from a five-game road trip to face the Thunder on Feb. 7, followed by a showdown with Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks on Feb. 9.
If James doesn't break Abdul-Jabbar's record in one of those games, he'll have three more opportunities before All-Star Weekend against either the Warriors, Trail Blazers or Pelicans.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| Feb. 7 | vs. Thunder | 10:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Feb. 9 | vs. Bucks | 10:00 p.m. | TNT |
| Feb. 11 | at Warriors | 8:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Feb. 13 | at Trail Blazers | 10:00 p.m. | — |
| Feb. 15 | vs. Pelicans | 10:00 p.m. | ESPN |
