LeBron James is the all-time leading points scorer in NBA history, passing legendary centre Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Los Angeles. 

Needing just 36 points to eclipse former Laker Abdul-Jabbar's tally of 38,387, James completed the record in the third quarter of the contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

"I just wanna say thank you to the Laker faithful, you guys are one of a kind," James said immediately after breaking the record.

"Everybody that's ever been a part of this, run with me the last 20-plus years, I just wanna say I thank you so much, because I wouldn't be me without y'all.

"All your help, all your passion, all your sacrifices help me get to this point.

"To the NBA … thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I've always dreamed about, and I would never ever in a million years dreamt this even better than it is tonight so, f*** man, thank you guys."

After the match James, 38, told NBA on TNT that it was "surreal" and that he never set out to break the record.

"Once I saw the record get closer and closer … I said OK, it's possible."

But once it came, James was well aware of the target he was hoping to achieve to break the record, 38,388 — he even had it branded on the headphones he wore pre-game. 

And so were the expectant, star-studded crowd, who were kept up to date with a running tally on the main scoreboard at the Crypto.com Arena, roaring its approval with every James involvement — none more so than when James re-entered the game in the third, needing just six points.

With celebrities including John McEnroe, Jay Z, Floyd Mayweather and Denzel Washington in the crowd — as well as James's mother, wife, daughter and sons — the supporters greeted every score with a fervent roar more in keeping with a play-off match than a regular mid-season contest. 

Former record-holder Abdul-Jabbar was also sitting courtside, as he said he would until James broke the record, adding to the doubtless sense of occasion.

James had eight points in the first quarter then was at 20 points at half-time, needing 16 in the second half to make history.

In the third, James took off, nailing 10 points in his first stint on the court, before returning with two driving lay-ups to send the crowd into raptures as Abdul-Jabbar smiled and the Thunder took a timeout. 

Abdul-Jabbar broke Wilt Chamberlain's record in 1984 with his trademark skyhook shot but James did not reciprocate with a tomahawk slam, instead landing a fade-away jumper with 10.9 seconds to go in the third.

James stood with his arms outstretched, before celebrating with supporters and family as the game momentarily paused to allow for a presentation to take place, including a tribute video.

Abdul-Jabbar and NBA commissioner Adam Silver then presented James with a ball, a symbolic passing of the torch from one Lakers legend to another.

"A record that has stood for nearly 40 years, which Kareem, many people thought would never be broken," Silver said, as the crowd chanted "M-V-P" and James blinked back tears.

Australian Josh Giddey almost had a massive input to the occasion, when his stray elbow caught the all-time great in the eye in the opening quarter.

But James was able to continue — and did not let up all night.

James' record did inspire a fourth-quarter comeback from the Lakers, however, it was the Thunder who came away with the 133-130 victory.

Abdul-Jabbar praises James' leadership

Lakers legend Abdul-Jabbar, who played until he was 42 years old, said James has deserved to claim his record.

"LeBron's career is one of someone who planned to dominate this game," Abdul-Jabbar told NBA on TNT.

"He got out of high school, he's got the size and talent to step right into the NBA, and he immediately started to have his effect — and that's gone for almost 20 years now."

"You've got to give him credit just for the way he planned to last and to dominate.

"He led teams to three World Championships, they didn't get there because of someone else and LeBron tagged along.

The question now is how many more points James can score.