SN 140 Moments: No. 98 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar surpasses Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA scoring record

Wilt Chamberlain’s 31,419 profession factors shattered Bob Pettit’s earlier mark of 20,880 factors. When he retired in 1973, few thought that his record can be damaged so quickly.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was in his fourth season when Wilt retired, and over 20,000 factors shy of that mark. It took him one other 11 years to say Wilt’s record as his personal.

On April 5, 1984, Kareem got here right into a recreation towards the Jazz needing 22 factors to safe the record. In his manner stood 7-foot-4 large man Mark Eaton, who would go down as the most effective rim protectors in league historical past. Kareem had his patented sky hook shot, however Eaton led all gamers that season with 4.3 blocks per recreation.

Kareem broke the record within the fourth quarter. I’ve acquired a move into the publish from magic Johnson, took a dribble, and encountered a right away double-workforce. He pivoted to his proper, launched up a mushy baseline sky hook over the outstretched hand of Eaton, and noticed the ball sink into the online. His teammates swarmed him, and the sport wanted to be paused. He put his fingers triumphantly into the air to thank a roaring crowd.

He completed his profession with 38,387 factors, a mark which stood for practically 40 years earlier than LeBron James — born in 1984, eight months after Abdul-Jabbar handed Chamberlain — lastly broke it in 2023.

MORE: See the place Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sits on Los Angeles’ Mount Rushmore

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