LeBron James achieves the milestone of becoming the 4th NBA player to accumulate 12,000 career assists
Lakers star LeBron James achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to reach 12,000 career assists with his second assist of the first quarter during Los Angeles’s home game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
No. 12,000 arrived when James secured a rebound on the defensive side and launched a long chest pass to the opposite end. Deandre Ayton seized the ball over the diminutive Collin Gillespie and scored with 7:49 remaining in the quarter.
John Stockton, the former star of the Utah Jazz, holds the record for the most career assists, totaling 15,806. Recently retired Chris Paul (12,552) ranks second, while Jason Kidd (12,091) holds the third position.
The 41-year-old James is likely to surpass Kidd if he makes a return next season. The likelihood of catching Paul hinges on his health and the number of games he participates in.
James was averaging 7.1 assists per game as he approached Friday’s action, and this contest represents his 59th of the 2025-26 season.Throughout his career, James has maintained an average of 7.4 assists per game.
The 22-time All-Star recorded 12 assists on the night, bringing his lifetime total to 12,010. James contributed 28 points, six rebounds, and four steals in the Lakers’ victory over the Suns, finishing with a score of 101-73.
