Kareem Sets NBA Scoring Record: 31,421 Points Achieved
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke Wilt Chamberlain's career scoring record of 31,419 points on April 5, 1984, hitting his trademark skyhook against the Utah Jazz in Las Vegas. The shot was so routine that it took a moment for the crowd to realize what had happened. Abdul-Jabbar had perfected the skyhook as a teenager, and no defender in NBA history found a reliable way to block it. He retired in 1989 with 38,387 points, a record that stood until LeBron James surpassed it in February 2023. Abdul-Jabbar won six MVP awards and six championships across 20 seasons with the Bucks and Lakers, making him the most decorated player in league history by statistical accumulation.
April 5, 1984
42 years ago
Key Figures & Places
What Else Happened on April 5
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