On Jan. 25, 2020, LeBron James moved past Kobe Bryant for third place on the NBA’s career scoring chart, reaching the mark in a 108-91 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center.
The Los Angeles Lakers forward recorded the historic basket with a third-quarter layup, bringing his total to 33,644 points and eclipsing Bryant’s 33,643. James achieved the feat while wearing the same purple and gold uniform Bryant donned for 20 seasons, and he did it in Philadelphia—the city where Bryant was born and developed his game at Lower Merion High School.
Bryant quickly acknowledged the accomplishment on social media, writing, “Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother #33644.” He also phoned James after the game; Lakers players listened in on the call.
Roughly 12 hours later, Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash. James later said he wept while composing an Instagram tribute in which he vowed to honor Bryant’s legacy.
The promise was realized later that year when James, Anthony Davis, and the 2019-20 Lakers captured the franchise’s 17th championship inside the NBA’s Orlando bubble. James has since continued his ascent, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the league’s No. 1 scoring spot in February 2023.
Source: Lakers Nation
