LeBron James passes Michael Jordan’s NBA record for most 30-point games in Lakers win over Hawks

LeBron James broke Michael Jordan’s record for the most 30-point games in NBA history on Friday, doing so during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 119-102 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
James scored 30 points on 13-of-20 shooting, including an 18-foot jumper reminiscent of Jordan deep into the fourth quarter, for his 563rd 30-point game, breaking Jordan’s record set in 2003.
“It’s very humbling,” James said afterward, according to NBA.com. “Anytime I’m named alongside any of the greats, and perhaps the greatest ever to play the game, it’s really wonderful. It’s someone I admired as a child, and I wear 23 in honor of him. So knowing that I can sit here and be in the room or in the conversation or whatever it is, when you mention Michael Jackson, it’s just super-duper dope for me as a child from where I’m from.”
James led the Lakers to a relatively balanced offensive performance, with Anthony Davis adding 18 points, 19 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, and Austin Reaves adding 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.

Despite his teammates’ contributions, the night ultimately belonged to the four-time league MVP who hit the record in his 22nd season and 1,523rd career regular-season game. Jordan had set his record in his 1,072nd game and 15th season, and Davis seized the chance to jokingly criticize his teammate for waiting seven more seasons to better it.
“Obviously, a hell of an accomplishment,” he went on to tell reporters. “I believe he is currently ranked first in all categories. I’ve been here long enough to see so many triumphs, so I’m very pleased to be here, and we just want to keep piling.”
James also eclipsed Dirk Nowitzki’s game total, moving up to fourth place on the all-time list. The fact that James is still setting records after turning 40 demonstrates the longevity that has distinguished his career in recent years.
According to NBA.com, only two other players have had 30-point games after turning 40: Nowitzki had one and Jordan had four. Meanwhile, James has two 30-point games in the five days since turning 40, and he appears to be on track to comfortably surpass this milestone as well.