On Friday, LeBron James surpassed Hakeem Olajuwon for the ninth straight steal in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 126-108 win over the Denver Nuggets. The four-time MVP passed the Hall of Famer with 2,163 steals a night. Utah jazz icon John Stockton is the all-time leader (3,265).
Olajuwon played 18 years in the NBA and retired with 2,162 steals. Now, James needs 45 to pass Portland Trail Blazers legend Clyde Drexler (2,207) for eighth. Scottie Pippen is seventh with 2,307. The only other active player is Chris Paul of James Dukes, who is fourth in all (2,476).
LeBron James has the 17th best odds to win the MVP in 2023 at several NBA betting sites. See which sportsbooks have the biggest odds for Zion Williamson, Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid.
Congratulations @King James of the @Lakers To move into 9th all-time on the NBA’s total steals list! pic.twitter.com/KFB4euSdUr
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2022
LeBron James finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two rebounds in 36 minutes. He shot 13-of-20 (65%) from the field and made one 3-pointer.
The 18-time All-Star has recorded at least one steal in his last seven games. On October 28, in the Lakers’ 111–102 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, James recorded a season-high four steals in 38 minutes of play.
Lakers star LeBron James has passed Hakeem Olajuwon for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time steals list.
In 21 starts this season, the four-time NBA champion is averaging 26.7 points, 8.6 boards, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals. He is also shooting 48.3% from the floor and 31.4% from beyond the arc. Seven double doubles were also posted.
Also, Anthony Davis is averaging 1.3 steals this season with the Lakers. Of course, Davis recorded a season-high four steals in a 115-105 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 22.
LeBron James is the longest player since Michael Jordan (2002) to score 3 consecutive games with 30+ points. pic.twitter.com/jvrn5rjtJz
– NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) December 17, 2022
On December 13, 2004, while with the Cleveland Cavaliers, James finished with 30 points and a career-high seven steals in a 92–86 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
In addition, LeBron James breaking 10 is a very successful result. But the biggest story this season has to do with the Lakers’ struggles. They are ranked 12-16 and 12th in the Western Conference. Los Angeles has won just two of its six games.
