Eleven years after his NBA playoff debut, LeBron James is now the NBA’s all-time playoff scoring leader.
James took the title with with a deep 3-pointer from the left wing with 2:40 left in the third quarter of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, which the Cleveland Cavaliers won 135-102 to reach the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year.
The shot gave James 29 points for the game and 5,989 points for his postseason career. Jordan’s mark of 5,987 points stood for 19 years. James reached the record in his 212th game, while Jordan played in 179 playoff games.
Career Scoring Leaders — NBA Playoffs
• NBA.com/Stats: Complete list of playoff scoring leaders
Before the game, James said when he passes Jordan he will cherish the honor, but the category does not define who he is as a player.
“I’ve always told you guys, any time I’m linked to any of the greats and even the greatest in Mike, it’s an honor,” James said. “It’s a tribute to what I’ve been able to do with this game.”
5,989: the most Playoff points EVER.@KingJames is the new leading scorer in @NBAHistory. 👑#StriveForGreatness pic.twitter.com/BYGPjbacRl
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 26, 2017
“I wear the number because of Mike,” said James said after the game. “I think I fell in love with the game because of Mike, just because of what he was able to accomplish. When you’re watching Michael Jordan it’s almost like a god. So I didn’t think I could be Mike.”
While James has appeared in more NBA Finals than Jordan, His Airness still leads James in several significant categories, including championship rings (six to three), MVP awards (five to four) and regular-season scoring titles (10 to one).
