LeBron James Sets NBA Record for Regular-Season Games Played with 1,612th Appearance
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ORLANDO, Fla. — LeBron James moved past Hall of Famer Robert Parish on Saturday night, appearing in his 1,612th regular-season contest as the Los Angeles Lakers edged the Orlando Magic at Kia Center.
The 41-year-old forward, now in his 23rd NBA season, owns the league’s all-time marks for points, field goals and, as of Saturday, games played. “I knew once I stepped on the floor and the game began that I was breaking the record,” James told Spectrum SportsNet. “The best thing you can have for your teammates is availability, and I’ve tried to be available throughout my career.”
James finished with 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals, helping set up Luke Kennard’s game-winning basket that extended Los Angeles’ winning streak to nine. The Lakers improved to 9-0 during the current run, a stretch James credited to the team’s willingness to share roles.
Parish Applauds the New “Iron Man”
Parish, whose previous record of 1,611 games stood for more than a quarter-century, said he expected someone to surpass him and is pleased it was James. “If anyone is deserving of breaking the iron man record, I would say LeBron James is,” Parish told ESPN in a phone interview. “He takes such good care of himself.”
James, who entered the league in 2003, has emphasized year-round conditioning and nutrition throughout his career, a commitment Parish said mirrors his own approach during a 21-year tenure that spanned four franchises.
With two decades of production already in the record books, James acknowledged that further milestones are likely. For now, he said, the focus remains on staying healthy and helping the Lakers contend for another championship.
Source: Lakers Nation
