LeBron James Becomes First to 16,000 Field Goals
The Lakers beat the Pistons 112-106 as James reached the career milestone, with Joel Embiid responding to his teasing.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
LeBron James became the first NBA player to make 16,000 career field goals in the Lakers' 112-106 win over the Detroit Pistons. Joel Embiid, who scored 26 points with 15 rebounds for the 76ers in a separate game, responded to James's joking remarks about the milestone.
Why it matters
The milestone extends James's standing among the league's all-time scoring leaders, a group that includes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of only two players with more than 15,000 field goals. It also reflects the longevity of a career now spanning 24 NBA seasons.
James is averaging 15.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists while shooting 45.7% from the field this season. Kevin Durant, with 11,075 career field goals, is the only other active player in the top 10 all-time.
The players
LeBron James
A Los Angeles Lakers forward and one of the most decorated players in NBA history, now in his 24th season.
Joel Embiid
A Philadelphia 76ers center and multiple-time All-Star known for his scoring and rebounding.
The details
James walked up behind Embiid during the big man's postgame media session and teased him about the interview location near James's locker. Embiid answered with a joke about the 16,000 field goals milestone.
Timeline
Wednesday: Lakers defeat the Pistons 112-106 and James reaches 16,000 field goals.
Upcoming: The 76ers, who are 8-1 to start the season, face the Cleveland Cavaliers in an NBA Cup game.
Season Trajectory
James's milestone places him beside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as one of only two players to surpass 15,000 career field goals, a benchmark few players in league history have reached. The early-season results for both the Lakers and the 76ers, who are 8-1, shape the broader competitive picture as the season develops.
James's 16,000th field goal adds to his career totals as he continues to rank among the league's leaders in scoring and assists. For fantasy managers, his current per-game averages of 15.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists set a baseline for weekly projections.
The takeaway
James's milestone reflects sustained production across more than two decades in the league. Tracking his season averages alongside those of his peers offers a clear measure of how his career compares with the sport's all-time leaders.
What happens next
The 76ers face the Cleveland Cavaliers in an NBA Cup game.
Further reading
For more context on the league's top performers, explore Basketball coverage on Wisevoter.
