Lakers vs. Thunder live score, updates, highlights, result as LeBron James breaks all-time points record

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Gilbert McGregor
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• 11 min read
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On Tuesday night, all eyes were on Lakers superstar LeBron James, who was on the doorstep of history.

James entered Tuesday night's game against the Thunder just 36 points away from surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer. 

Fans in attendance and watching around the world only had to wait three quarters and James reached the 36-point mark as time wound down in the third. James used a turnaround jumper to make history, bringing his career total to 38,388 points.

LA came up short, but James finished with 38 points to bring his career total to 38,390 points.

The Sporting News provided live updates from a historic night for James and the NBA.

MORE: Yes, LeBron is the GOAT scorer... here's why.

Lakers vs. Thunder score

Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Lakers 34 32 33 31 130
Thunder 36 40 28 29 133

How many points does LeBron James need to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

James entered the night with 38,352 career points, 36 shy of surpassing Abdul-Jabbar's mark of 38,387. James' scoring average for the season is 30.0 points per game, making 36 an attainable mark.

It proved to be very attainable, as James reached 36 points before the end of the third quarter.

Lakers vs. Thunder live score, updates, highlights as LeBron James nears history

(All times Eastern.)

Final: Thunder 133, Lakers 130

12:40 a.m. — After an emotional game to get to 36 points, LeBron James has scored just two in the fourth.

LA has trailed for the majority of the fourth and is looking to complete a late rally, but there may not be enough time.

Thunder 129, Lakers 123. 26.1 seconds remain in regulation.

12:25 a.m. — The Lakers rallied to tie things up at 106 and the Thunder responded with a 12-0 run.

A free throw from Rui Hachimura cut the deficit to 11 with 6:45 remaining in regulation, but LA may not have enough time to claw back.

LeBron James breaks NBA all-time scoring record

12:20 a.m. — Nike airs a spot to commemorate the occasion.

12:15 a.m. — LeBron James shows plenty of gratitude as he gives his speech to commemorate the moment.

12:06 a.m. — The Commisioner. The Captain. The King.

Adam Silver, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James share a moment as Abdul-Jabbar passes the torch to his successor.

11:58 a.m. — The biggest turnaround jumper of LeBron James' career.

James is now the NBA's all-time leading scorer thanks to a two-pointer with 10.9 seconds remaining in the third. History is made.

End of Third Quarter: Thunder 104, Lakers 99

11:53 p.m. — LeBron James is two points away from becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

A lob finish followed by a transition layup brings James' total to 34 points on the night with 1:06 remaining in the third quarter.

11:52 p.m. — LeBron James is back in. Camera phones are out and the buzz is building.

Will he break the record before the third quarter ends?

11:50 p.m. — As the action gets back going after a timeout, LeBron James is taking a breather.

LA will look to stay afloat without its leading scorer.

11:47 p.m. — LeBron James is six points away.

Make that 10 points in the third quarter for James, who has reached his season average of 30 points in just 24 minutes of action. Timeout on the floor as LA looks to rally back.

Thunder 92, Lakers 84 with 4:31 remaining in the third.

11:39 p.m. — Less than 10 points away.

LeBron James sinks back-to-back triples to bring his total up to 28 points.

The Lakers cut the deficit to six points before the Thunder got things back to double-digits with a pair of 2s.

11:37 p.m. — As the Lakers look to rally in the second half, LeBron James is back putting points on the board.

James is fouled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in transition and coolly steps to the line to bring his total for the night to 22 points. Of note: Gilgeous-Alexander has four fouls in the game.

Halftime: Thunder 76, Lakers 66

11:19 p.m. — One half is in the books and LeBron James is more than halfway there. James entered the night needing 36 points and picked up 20 in the first half.

Despite the fanfare, the Thunder are in command. They take a 10-point lead into the break.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads OKC with 19 points, rookie Jalen Williams has scored 15 and Mike Muscala has scored 14 points off the bench. The Thunder are shooting 12-of-19 (63.2 percent) from 3-point range.

After James, Russell Westbrook has scored 11 points for the Lakers as he faces his former team.

11:09 p.m. — It's a game of runs.

The Thunder used a run to extend their lead to 15 points but the Lakers responded with a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to eight.

As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander steps to the free throw line, LeBron James sits at the scorer's table to check in with 59.1 seconds remaining in the half.

Thunder 72, Lakers 64.

11 p.m. — LeBron James checks out with 20 points on 6-of-10 shooting in 15 minutes of action.

LA, however, continues to trail OKC.

Thunder 62, Lakers 55. Five minutes remain in the half.

10:55 p.m. — OKC responds with a 10-0 run of its own, but LeBron James gets LA back on track with a triple.

Make that 17 points on the night for LeBron with plenty of time left to play.

10:48 p.m. — Make that and-one finishes on back-to-back possessions for LeBron James, who converted both free throws to bring his total to 14 points in the game.

A breakaway dunk from Russell Westbrook on the ensuing possession makes it an 11-4 run for LA, causing OKC to call a timeout.

Lakers 45, Thunder 40. 10:05 is left in the second.

End of First Quarter: Thunder 36, Lakers 34

10:41 p.m. — One quarter is in the books and the Thunder hold a two-point lead.

LeBron James is up to eight points in eight minutes of action and stands 28 points away from the all-time record.

While the attention is on James, Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is up to a game-high 13 points and four assists.

10:31 p.m. — LeBron James checks out with eight early points.

The Lakers and Thunder are going back and forth. Outside of James' pursuit of the record, we may have a good game on our hands.

10:27 p.m. — LeBron James connects on his second field goal of the night, but is struck in the face on the attempt.

James fails to get back on defense because of the contact and LA calls for a timeout.

Lakers 17, Thunder 15. 5:24 remains in the first.

10:20 p.m. — LeBron James is on the board.

A side-step triple from the left corner gets James' scoring night underway. He's now 33 points away and will step to the free throw line following a timeout.

Lakers 14, Thunder 13 with 6:38 remaining in the first.

10:13 p.m. — Things are underway in LA.

Vintage LeBron James has opted for the headband look. Anthony Davis gets the Lakers on the board first.

Pregame

10:07 p.m. — The Captain has arrived. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is in the building to hand the crown to his successor.

10:02 p.m. — To no surprise, the stars are out. Jay-Z is on hand to potentially witness history.

9:42 p.m. — The pregame workout is complete and LeBron James is ready to go.

9:30 p.m. — It's official, according to the NBA's official injury report, LeBron James is available for the Lakers despite dealing with left ankle soreness.

The pursuit of history is on.

7:05 p.m. — All eyes on LeBron.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, over 200 media members have been credentialed for the game, James' mother, Gloria, and a number of his high school teammates.

In addition to the above group, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's attendance has been confirmed as well as Clippers head coach Ty Lue.

6:22 p.m. — The King has arrived.

Lakers vs. Thunder start time

  • Date: Tuesday, Feb. 7
  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET | 7:00 p.m. PT

Lakers vs. Thunder from Crypto.com Arena will tip off around 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 7, which is 7 p.m. local time in Los Angeles.

What channel is Lakers vs. Thunder on?

  • Date: Tuesday, Feb. 7
  • TV channel: TNT
  • Live streaming: Sling TV

Lakers vs. Thunder will air on TNT. Viewers can also stream the game on Sling TV.

Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.

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Lakers schedule 2022-23

Here are Los Angeles' next five games of the 2022-23 regular season:

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV channel
Feb. 7 vs. Thunder 10 p.m. TNT
Feb. 9 vs. Bucks 10 p.m. TNT
Feb. 11 at Warriors 8:30 p.m. ABC
Feb. 13 at Trail Blazers 10 p.m. —
Feb. 15 vs. Pelicans 10 p.m. ESPN

Thunder schedule 2022-23

Here are Oklahoma City's next five games of the 2022-23 regular season:

Date Opponent Time (ET) TV channel
Feb. 7 at Lakers 10 p.m. TNT
Feb. 10 at Trail Blazers 10 p.m. —
Feb. 13 vs. Pelicans 8 p.m. —
Feb. 15 vs. Rockets 8 p.m. —
Feb. 23 at Jazz 9 p.m. —
Author(s)
Gilbert McGregor Photo
Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor is an NBA content producer for The Sporting News.