LeBron James closes in on scoring record

Image Credit: Google & Getty Images

On Saturday,

LeBron James finished with 27 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 131-126 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, leaving the 38-year-old needing 36 points to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA all-time scoring record. Image Credit: Google & Getty Images

James struggled

out of the gates but was able to finish the game strong, adding nine rebounds and six assists in the loss. Lakers forward Anthony Davis finished with a team-high 34 points and 14 rebounds. Image Credit: Google & Getty Images

a lot of cheers at the Smoothie King Center.

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[{"selector":"#anim-9870e5c6-cd20-4285-b870-915b1d635b2a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-0.21459343860508065%, 1.203985383253503%) scale(0.8849557522123894)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] James touched the ball, but fans will have to wait a little longer for the record to be broken. It is likely that James will achieve the historic feat before a home crowd this week. Image Credit: Google & Getty Images

Record of 38,387

[{"selector":"#anim-d5384068-8402-477c-90be-91b1c7860e3c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-0.049382627799475075%, 2.9793435778923243%) scale(0.847457627118644)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points has stood for nearly 39 years, the Lakers great overtaking Wilt Chamberlain on April 5, 1984 - before James was even born. Image Credit: Google & Getty Images

In his career,

[{"selector":"#anim-0a25478e-9a59-4691-990e-e0becce0ea57 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-0.786377908590473%, 0.16874810191839096%) scale(0.970873786407767)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] James is enjoying one of his highest-scoring seasons, averaging 30.1 points per game. Image Credit: Google & Getty Images

James could break the record

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