WATCH: The baskets that moved LeBron James up the all-time NBA scoring list

E.Jay Zarett
November 15, 2018 06:06 MYT
LeBron James has moved into the top-five on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

The 33-year-old superstar passed Wilt Chamberlain when he scored his 31,420th career point in the Lakers’ 126-117 win over the Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Here are the baskets that moved James up the all-time scoring rankings.

James enters top 10

James, then a member of the Cavaliers, entered the top 10 of the NBA’s all-time scoring rankings with this fastbreak lay-up against the 76ers in November 2016. "For me, scoring has never been on my list of goals," James said at the time (via ESPN). "Facilitating, getting my guys involved, and rebounding, defending, getting blocked shots and things of that nature (have) always ranked above that.”

James passes Elvin Hayes

A little more than a month after entering the top 10, James tied Elvin Hayes on the all-time list with a fadeaway mid-range jumper in the fourth quarter of a game against the Heat. He followed with a lay-up a minute later to take sole possession of ninth place.

James moves ahead of Moses Malone

James moved ahead of former NBA great Moses Malone when he rebounded this JR Smith miss, created separation from Bucks defender Jabari Parker and finished a contested lay-up.

.@KingJames passed Moses Malone on all-time scoring list (now 8th) with this bucket! pic.twitter.com/Lps0ofYrlA

— NBA TV (@NBATV) December 21, 2016
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James overtakes Shaquille O'Neal for seventh

Here, James blows by a Bulls defender for an easy basket and the foul in March 2017. The lay-up and free throw helped him overtake his former teammate and four-time champion Shaquille O'Neal for seventh on the career points list. "Shaq is an all-time great, and the most dominant player to ever play this game," James said at the time (via ESPN). "Much respect, he's like a big brother of mine.”

James jumps Dirk Nowitzki for sixth

Earlier this season, James, who left the Cavaliers and signed a four-year contract with the Lakers this summer, jumped ahead of Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki with this mid-ranger jumper against the Spurs.

LeBron connects on the jumper to go to 6th on the all-time scoring list! #LakeShow #ThisIsWhyWePlay pic.twitter.com/28jc582wVP

— NBA (@NBA) October 28, 2018
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James ascends into top-five

James’ ascended into the top-five on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with this and-one pull-up floater against the Trail Blazers.

LEBRON JAMES AND-1 TO MOVE UP TO 5TH ON THE ALL-TIME SCORING LIST! #LakeShow 121#RipCity 111 WATCH on @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/etnRvrGj1S

— NBA (@NBA) November 15, 2018
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He bumped Chamberlain down to sixth place.

#Cleveland Cavaliers #LeBron James #Los Angeles Lakers #Shaquille O'Neal #Dirk Nowitzki #NBA #basketball