LeBron James became the NBA’s all-time leader in regular season games played on March 21, when he took the court for his 1,612th game as the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Orlando Magic. This appearance broke a tie with Robert Parish, who previously held the record.
The milestone highlights James’s longevity and durability in professional basketball. At age 41 and in his 23rd season, James continues to play at an All-Star level despite accumulating more playing time than any other player in league history.
James reflected on the achievement after tying the record, saying, “It is pretty cool. Like I’ve said, availability. I always wanted to be available to my teammates, either in Cleveland, [Miami], and now L.A. It takes a lot.” He added, “It’s a mental toll trying to play a lot and being out there for this whole thing and all of the circumstances that I’ve kind of been given. It’s just a lot, man. I just give a lot of praise to the man above and just loving the game and appreciating the game. And shoutout [Robert Parish], man. I’ve been seeing a lot of the things he’s saying about me. There’s not a lot of those OGs that talk like that to the generation after them, and also about me personally. So shoutout the Chief. He’s super cool, he’s dope. I like him.”
In addition to holding this new record for games played, James is also recognized as the NBA’s all-time leader in scoring and field goals made among other achievements.
Robert Parish responded positively to James surpassing his mark: “If anyone is deserving of breaking the iron man record, I would say LeBron James is,” Parish told ESPN during a phone call Thursday. “Because he takes such good care of himself.… His approach to fitness and what he puts into his body reflects, or mirrors, how I felt about my fitness and what I ate, how I took care of myself. And so, it’s a testament to not only my longevity, but LeBron’s longevity.”
With no signs of slowing down on the court for Los Angeles Lakers, observers are watching closely to see how much further James can extend these records.
