James, who contributed 26 points to the Lakers’ efforts, acknowledged the significance of his accomplishment, noting, “Being the first player to do something, it’s pretty cool in this league. You just know the history, you know the greats that have come through.”

The historic basket occurred with 10 minutes and 39 seconds remaining in the second quarter, as James executed a driving lay-up from the left side of the basket, propelling the Lakers to a 37-32 lead. A reverent standing ovation from the crowd accompanied the milestone, with the ceremonial removal of the ball used for the historic feat.

However, the Lakers’ disappointment was compounded by the Nuggets extending their winning streak to six games, led by Nikola Jokic’s stellar performance of 35 points.

Expressing mixed emotions about the outcome, James emphasized, “The main thing is always the main thing and that’s the win. And I hated that had to happen in a defeat especially versus a team that plays extremely well.” Despite the defeat, James cherished every moment on the floor, reflecting on the significance of the journey towards his monumental achievement.