LeBron James moved into first place on the NBA's all-time points list (regular-season and playoffs) on Saturday, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Why it matters: While Abdul-Jabbar still has the most regular-season points making him the "official" leader James is now the NBA's scoring king. No player has scored more points in official games.

James: 44,157 points
Abdul-Jabbar: 44,149
Karl Malone: 41,689
Kobe Bryant: 39,283
Michael Jordan: 38,279
Dirk Nowitzki: 35,223
Wilt Chamberlain: 35,026
Shaquille O'Neal: 33,846
Tim Duncan: 31,668
Hakeem Olajuwon: 30,701

Between the lines: James has scored 36,526 career points in the regular season (1,350 games), and 7,631 career points in the playoffs (266 games). His totals by team:

Cavaliers: 27,692 points (23,119 reg. season; 4,573 playoffs)
Heat: 10,257 points (7,919 reg. season; 2,338 playoffs)
Lakers: 6,208 points (5,488 reg. season; 720 playoffs)

Hot streak: James has scored 25+ points in 22 straight games, the longest streak of his career at age 37. We should be making a way bigger deal about all of this, just saying..." Axios

Whoda thunk this ex $C dude would have become such an elite baller?

"Man on fire: DeMar DeRozan has six straight games with 35+ points on 50%+ shooting, tying Wilt Chamberlain (1960-61 and 1963) for the longest streak in history. Legit MVP candidate." Axios

https://images.axios.com/BejCt404xNH9TSWmT_kG3k0hho4=/0x0:4388x2468/1920x1080/2022/02/15/1644926438089.jpg
DeMar DeRozan or Michael Jordan? Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Man on fire


Source: Giphy

DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points (16-27 FG) on Wednesday, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 35+ points on 50%+ FG in seven straight games.

"I'll be honest with you, I can't."
DeRozan, when asked to describe his run

By the numbers: DeRozan has averaged 38.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists on 60.7% FG during his record streak, leading the Bulls to a 5-2 record despite fellow All-Star Zach LaVine missing the last three games.

Feb. 16: 38 points, 16-27 FG (Bulls 125, Kings 118)
Feb. 14: 40 points, 16-24 FG (Bulls 120, Spurs 109)
Feb. 12: 38 points, 12-24 FG (Bulls 106, Thunder 101)
Feb. 11: 35 points, 14-22 FG (Bulls 134, Timberwolves 122)
Feb. 9: 36 points, 13-19 FG (Bulls 121, Hornets 109)
Feb. 7: 38 points, 16-27 FG (Suns 127, Bulls 124)
Feb. 6: 45 points, 18-30 FG (76ers 119, Bulls 108)

The big picture: In the age of the three-pointer, DeRozan is an outlier. He's attempted just 10 threes during the streak (and made four), with most of his points coming from heavily-contested mid-range jumpers.

He's now seventh in the MVP race, per ESPN's media poll, trailing Joel Embiid, Nikola Joki, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul and Ja Morant.

The Bulls will enter the All-Star break either alone atop the East, or tied with the Heat. Axios