How many points is LeBron James away from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record ahead of LA Lakers taking on OKC Thunder?

LeBron James could eclipse Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record when the LA Lakers take on the OKC Thunder in their next game. James is averaging 30.0 points per game and has inched closer to the record faster than expected.

James has played through injuries but still missed nine games. However, he has compensated for his absence with his high-scoring efforts. The four-time MVP has been unstoppable offensively since his 38th birthday.

He has averaged 33.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists, shooting 51.5% from the floor since December 30th. His points tally is the third-highest in the league during that stretch.

How many points is LeBron James away from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record?

LeBron James currently has 38,352 career points, 35 points shy of matching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record. Considering his recent scoring tear, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him drop 36 or more against OKC and surpass the record during the Lakers' home game against the Thunder on February 7th.

With the Lakers struggling, James could continue to make an impact at this level. The team has dropped to four games below the .500 mark, and every loss from here will hurt their chances of playoff qualification.

The OKC Thunder are a team the LA Lakers are rivaling for a play-in tournament seeding. The Thunder have ranked ahead of the Lakers with a 25-27 record, and the head-to-head record between the teams could determine their fate at the end of the season if they finish with a similar winning percentage with a play-in or playoff seeding at stake.

LeBron James will also be hoping he achieves arguably the most significant milestone of his career on the night his team wins. He has expressed that winning remains his priority over chasing records. Seeing him gutting it out nightly for his team is a testament to that.

Fans sitting at home can catch James potentially breaking the record during the OKC Thunder vs. LA Lakers game, which will be televised nationally on TNT at 10:00 PM ET. Spectrum SportsNet will provide local coverage in LA, while OKC fans can tune into Bally Sports OK. Online streaming is available on NBA League Pass app with a subscription.