Less than two weeks after breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record, LeBron James is now the all-time leading scorer in the NBA. This fact was brought up at the NBA All-Star Game, but for the “King,” the event was bittersweet because it took place after a very peculiar injury he suffered while attempting to block the ball in the second quarter.
First, a standing ovation received with Karl Malone’s introduction at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, the team’s arena and the place where he first attained legend status. Following that, the “Captain” was introduced and hailed by the Salt Lake City crowd. LeBron was finally introduced by Dwayne Wade, who was given a standing ovation as well.
Dwyane Wade introduces LeBron James as the all-time NBA scorer next to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone at the 2023 All-Star Game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Y1Vi8gefvP
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 20, 2023
“It’s a surreal feeling. I didn’t get the opportunity to watch Kareem live, but I know the history of the game, I got enough opportunity to watch a lot of his games [through] replays or seeing footage of him. I did get the opportunity to watch a lot of Karl Malone games live,” James expressed.
Following this intensely touching moment, Malone (36,928 points), Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points), and James (38,411 points) hugged each other and posed for a picture that will live on in the memories of everyone who saw it.
The “King” was one of two captains in his 19th NBA All-Star Game, with Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks serving as the other. Since he also has a wrist injury, the “Greek Freak” only took part in the game’s opening play.
