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

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

NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James has climbed into fourth place on the NBA’s assists list as he closes in on becoming the league’s career scoring leader.

James passed both 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 has moved to 4th all-time in career assists pic.twitter.com/aB6MxwOfAW

— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2023

One of the greatest passers ever.

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

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

There goes that man. @KingJames has passed Mark Jackson for 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’s just doing it all,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said after the game. “That’s what great players do. That’s what all-time greats do, and he’s right up there at the top of the list with all of them.”

In addition to pulling down 10 boards, James also scored 28 points, leaving him just 89 away from surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA’s career record.

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