LeBron James Sets NBA Record for Most Games Played

Lakers star becomes first player to appear in 1,612 regular-season games

Mar. 22, 2026 at 2:18am

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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James made history on Saturday night, starting his 1,612th regular-season NBA game and breaking the all-time record previously held by Robert Parish. The 41-year-old James, in his 23rd NBA season, showed no signs of slowing down as he opened the game with a monster dunk against the Orlando Magic.

Why it matters

James' record-breaking achievement is a testament to his longevity and dominance in the NBA over the past two decades. As one of the greatest players in league history, his continued excellence at an advanced age has defied expectations and solidified his legacy as an all-time great.

The details

Less than a minute into the game, James forced a turnover, collected an outlet pass, and finished with an emphatic dunk, showcasing his athleticism despite his age. James is also the NBA's all-time leader in made field goals, playoff points scored, All-NBA selections, playoff wins, and consecutive games scoring at least 10 points.

  • On March 22, 2026, LeBron James started his 1,612th regular-season NBA game, breaking the previous record held by Robert Parish.

The players

LeBron James

A 22-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA MVP, and four-time NBA champion who is in his 23rd NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Robert Parish

The previous record holder for most regular-season NBA games played, with 1,611 games over his 21-year career.

Luka Doncic

The Lakers' All-NBA and All-Star guard who has led the team's offensive charge during their recent eight-game winning streak.

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What they’re saying

“I wanted to be the best player in this league at some point. I wanted to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, to ever play this game. I wanted to be an NBA champion. I wanted to possibly win Rookie of the Year, make All-Star appearances, win a gold medal, win some MVPs — those were some of my goals.”

— LeBron James

What’s next

The Lakers have a stronghold on the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, and debates continue about their realistic odds to win the NBA Finals. However, with a red-hot Luka Doncic and LeBron James leading the way, the Lakers will be a formidable opponent in the playoffs.

The takeaway

LeBron James' record-breaking achievement is a testament to his unparalleled longevity and dominance in the NBA. As one of the greatest players in league history, James continues to defy expectations and cement his legacy as an all-time great.