SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a night that will echo through the annals of NBA history, LeBron James made waves as he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time lead in regular-season minutes played during the Los Angeles Lakers' decisive 113-100 victory over the Sacramento Kings. The milestone was celebrated in the locker room by Lakers coach JJ Redick and the team, who acknowledged the significance of the moment for the 39-year-old superstar.

After clocking in a remarkable 34 minutes on the court, James now boasts a grand total of 57,471 minutes, edging out Abdul-Jabbar, who trails with 57,446 minutes.

"They told me I'm old as hell and all that," James humorously reflected on the light-hearted banter from his teammates, showcasing the camaraderie and spirit within the team.

Despite being the oldest active player in the NBA, this season has presented challenges for James, especially after an eight-day hiatus to recover from a left foot injury. However, he has returned with a renewed vigor, leading to back-to-back victories against critical contenders, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Kings. Against Sacramento, he recorded an impressive 19 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds, building on a solid performance of 18 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds against the Grizzlies.

"His voice is what we missed the two games that he was out – on both ends of the floor," stated Anthony Davis after contributing 21 points, a staggering 19 rebounds, and a season-high of 6 blocks. The teamwork exhibited highlighted James' essential role as a natural leader during pivotal moments.

This recent resurgence comes after a turbulent stretch for the Lakers where they lost seven of nine games, prompting fears of a chaotic season. But the tides have turned, with the Lakers securing victories in three of their last four outings, showcasing defensive prowess that had previously faltered.

"For the group, I really felt like this might be my favorite win we've had all season," Redick expressed, emphasizing the unity and determination within the squad. Davis added, "We're playing desperate – especially on the defensive end. And it's showing."

Austin Reaves led the scoring surge with 25 points, while contributions from D'Angelo Russell (16 points), Gabe Vincent (12 points), and Rui Hachimura (10 points) underscored the Lakers' offensive strength.

Celebrating his minutes milestone in Sacramento, where he played his inaugural NBA game in 2003, James reflected on the honor. "It's a pretty cool honor, obviously, anytime I'm linked with some of the greats that have ever played this game," he remarked. He highlighted his commitment over the years to remain available for his teammates and continue making history.

As the Lakers prepare to face the Kings again in a rematch, James stays focused on enjoying the moment. "I just set the all-time-leading [mark] in minutes, I am not thinking about this next game yet," he stated. "I'm about to get to this [hotel] room, drink some wine, play some Madden, and chill out."

As the NBA season progresses, one can only wonder what other records and milestones await LeBron James, a player who continues to defy age and expectations.