Wilt Chamberlain was the yardstick for most NBA career milestones. His name continues to come up in the modern era when it comes to statistical records being chased by current players. During the 1983–1984 season, however, one man emerged who would surpass Wilt’s status as the benchmark—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Chamberlain retired in 1973, but before he hung up his jersey, he made sure he was at the apex of NBA scoring by holding the all-time points record with 31,419. He played 14 seasons in the NBA and finished his career averaging 30.1 points per game.
The late Wilt Chamberlain dominated the NBA from the moment he entered the league in 1959. He first dazzled with the Harlem Globetrotters before joining the San Francisco Warriors franchise. From there, he piled up records and collected numerous awards, including four Most Valuable Player honors. He won two championships and was named an All-Star 13 times.
He played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1968 to 1973.
NBA fans did not have to wait long for another dominant center, as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar entered the league in 1969 as the Milwaukee Bucks’ No. 1 overall pick.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar goes for the hook versus Wilt Chamberlain in 1972 NBA gameMalcolm Emmons-Imagn Images
(Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images)
The 7-foot-2 center immediately made an impact and won a championship in just his third year. He went on to surpass Chamberlain’s MVP total, winning the award six times. He also finished with more championships than Chamberlain.
Abdul-Jabbar’s achievements placed him firmly in the conversation about the greatest players of all time, and he cemented that status on April 5, 1984.
The Lakers visited the Thomas & Mack Center to face the Utah Jazz, and fans knew what they had come to see. It was the night Kareem would become the league’s all-time leading scorer.
Around 18,000 fans filled the arena, and the legendary center delivered. In a close game, his teammate Magic Johnson passed him the ball, and Abdul-Jabbar scored his 22nd point of the night midway through the fourth quarter, breaking the record.
He officially became the league’s all-time leading scorer with 31,420 points, achieving the feat in two fewer seasons than Chamberlain.
Abdul-Jabbar did not stop there. He played five more seasons, extending his lead and finishing his career with 38,387 points—a record that stood for 38 years.
That record was finally broken in 2023 by another Laker, LeBron James.
Related: Lakers Make LeBron James Gesture After Breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Record
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Apr 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.