Report: LeBron James just added another milestone to an already historic résumé. By passing Chris Paul on the NBA’s all-time assists list, he continued to redefine what longevity looks like. The bigger question is how much higher he can still climb (J)

LeBron James Passes Chris Paul on All-Time Assists List, Adds Another Historic Milestone to Legendary Career

LeBron James continues to redefine what greatness looks like in the NBA. On Sunday night, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar added yet another historic achievement to his already unmatched résumé, passing Chris Paul to move into second place on the NBA’s all-time assists list (combining regular-season and playoff games).

The milestone came during a 120–114 comeback victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, a game that perfectly encapsulated why LeBron remains the heartbeat of the Lakers—even deep into his 21st NBA season.

Already the league’s all-time leading scorer, James now sits just one spot away from the top of the assists leaderboard, further cementing his place in basketball history as the most complete offensive player the sport has ever seen.

A Milestone Reached in Classic LeBron Fashion

LeBron didn’t chase the record. He let it come naturally—by doing what he has always done best: making the right play.

As the Lakers erased a 16-point deficit in the second quarter, James controlled the tempo, orchestrated the offense, and repeatedly put teammates in positions to succeed. One of those passes officially moved him past Chris Paul, a player widely considered one of the greatest pure point guards in NBA history.

That context makes the achievement even more remarkable.

LeBron James, a forward who entered the league as a scorer, now ranks ahead of nearly every traditional point guard ever to play the game in total assists.

Lakers vs. Grizzlies: A Game That Showed LeBron’s Enduring Value

The matchup against Memphis was far from easy.

The Lakers struggled early, looking out of sync on both ends of the floor. Defensive lapses and missed shots allowed the Grizzlies to build a commanding 16-point lead in the second quarter, putting Los Angeles in danger of wasting another home game.

That’s when LeBron took control—not by forcing shots, but by stabilizing the game.

He pushed the pace in transition
Found shooters in rhythm
Attacked mismatches to collapse the defense
Made smart, timely passes to stop Memphis runs

By halftime, the momentum had shifted. By the fourth quarter, the Lakers were in full command.

LeBron’s Stat Line: Efficiency Meets Impact

James finished the night with:

26 points
7 rebounds
10 assists
37 minutes played
Over 57% shooting from the field

While those numbers are impressive on their own, they don’t fully capture his influence. LeBron dictated the flow of the game, especially late, when every possession mattered.

Whether it was setting up an open three, finding a cutter, or scoring through contact, James delivered when the Lakers needed him most.

Passing Chris Paul: Why This Moment Matters

Chris Paul has built his career on elite playmaking. For years, he has been the gold standard for floor generals—praised for vision, precision, and basketball IQ.

For LeBron James to surpass Paul on the all-time assists list underscores a staggering truth:

No player in NBA history has combined scoring and playmaking at this level, for this long.

LeBron is not just great at multiple aspects of offense—he is historically elite at all of them.

All-time leading scorer
Second all-time in total assists
Top-tier rebounder for his position
One of the smartest basketball minds the game has ever seen

The statistical profile is unprecedented.

Longevity Like the NBA Has Never Seen

Perhaps the most astonishing part of LeBron’s achievement is when it’s happening.

At age 41, in his 21st season, James is still:

Logging heavy minutes
Running the offense
Closing games
Producing efficiently

Most players at this stage of their careers are role players—or retired.

LeBron is still the engine.

His durability, preparation, and ability to adapt his game have allowed him to remain dominant long after traditional athletic decline would suggest otherwise.

A New Role: LeBron the Maestro

With Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves shouldering more of the scoring burden, LeBron has embraced an evolved role as the Lakers’ primary facilitator.

This shift has benefited everyone:

Luka thrives with cleaner looks
Reaves operates with more space
The offense flows more naturally

Rather than forcing isolation plays, James now focuses on:

Creating advantages
Reading defensive coverages
Making quick, decisive passes

It’s a testament to his basketball intelligence—and his willingness to adjust for the good of the team.

Player of the Game Spotlight: Luka Dončić

While LeBron made history, Luka Dončić earned Player of the Game honors with a dominant performance:

36 points
9 rebounds
8 assists
38 efficiency rating
10-for-20 shooting

The balance between Dončić’s scoring aggression and LeBron’s orchestration has quickly become the Lakers’ offensive foundation.

Together, they form one of the most dangerous duos in the NBA—combining creativity, size, and elite decision-making.

LeBron’s Legacy: A Category of His Own

LeBron passing Chris Paul while already owning the scoring record places him in territory no one else has reached.

Historically, players fall into categories:

Scorers
Playmakers
Leaders
Longevity stars

LeBron is all of them—at once.

His career forces a reevaluation of how greatness is measured. It’s no longer just about titles or individual records. It’s about sustained excellence across every facet of the game.

What Comes Next?

With only one player left ahead of him on the all-time assists list, another historic milestone is looming. And knowing LeBron, it won’t be forced—it will come naturally, through the rhythm of the game.

As the Lakers push toward the postseason, James’ ability to balance scoring, playmaking, and leadership will be critical.

If Sunday night was any indication, he’s more than ready.

Conclusion: History, Still in Motion

LeBron James doesn’t just chase records—he reshapes the record book.

Passing Chris Paul on the all-time assists list while leading a comeback victory is another reminder that LeBron’s story is still being written. Even after two decades, he remains one of the most impactful players in the NBA.

And as long as he’s on the floor, history is never far behind.