Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Reaches 1,000 NBA Games on March 28, 1982
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On March 28, 1982, Los Angeles Lakers center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the 15th player in NBA history to appear in 1,000 regular-season games, hitting the milestone during a 109-96 victory over the Kansas City Kings.
The 34-year-old veteran contributed 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting, grabbed two rebounds and handed out two assists in just 26 minutes. While far from one of his signature performances, the night underscored a trait often overshadowed by his scoring record: exceptional durability.
Across 20 NBA seasons, Abdul-Jabbar played in 1,560 of a possible 1,640 contests. He suited up for all 82 games five times and missed fewer than 10 games in 18 seasons. His 1,560 appearances remain second on the league’s all-time list, trailing only Robert Parish’s 1,611.
Abdul-Jabbar achieved much of this longevity before teams routinely used charter flights or modern recovery methods, making the feat even more notable. Since he crossed the 1,000-game threshold in 1982, an additional 122 players have joined the club, reflecting the benefits of improved travel and sports medicine. Former Laker Metta World Peace, with 991 games, came within single-digit appearances of joining that group.
The 1,000-game mark added another line to Abdul-Jabbar’s extensive résumé, highlighting not only his scoring prowess but also his remarkable consistency on the court.
Source: Lakers Nation
