LeBron James passes Mark Jackson, Steve Nash for 4th in career assists

LeBron James remains the only player in the top 10 in terms of scoring and assists.

NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James has climbed to fourth on the NBA’s assists list as he closes in on becoming the league’s leading career scorer.

James passed Mark Jackson (10,334) and Steve Nash (10,335) in the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday. His 10,336th assist came on Thomas Bryant’s dunk with less than 10 minutes remaining.

LeBron moved up to 4th all-time in career assists 👑 pic.twitter.com/aB6MxwOfAW

— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2023

One of the greatest passers of all time.

Congratulations to @KingJames for passing Steve Nash for the 4th most assists in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/otUtJ7PeGZ

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2023

Here is this man. @KingJames has passed Mark Jackson for the 5th most assists in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/73t84rhPzX

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 1, 2023

James finished the game with 11 assists, giving him 10,338 for his career as the Lakers outlasted the Knicks 129-123 in overtime.

“He just does everything,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said after the game. “That’s what great players do. It’s what the all-time greats do, and he’s right at the top of the list with them all.

Along with knocking down 10 boards, James also scored 28 points, leaving him just 89 shy of passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA career high.

It was James’ first game at Madison Square Garden since January 2020. He missed a game through injury and then was suspended last season after punching Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart in the face.