Not long after LeBron James became the NBA’s career scoring leader, he asked his sons Bronny James and Bryce James if they will try and beat his record.

“Two and three,” Bronny James said.

It sounds like they are content – at least for now – to let dear old dad have the record.

James’ stepback jumper late in the third quarter set the mark, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record during his 38-point performance in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. James surpassed the mark held since April 1984 by Abdul-Jabbar, who watched the game from a baseline seat near the Lakers’ bench and then joined a clearly emotional James on the court after the historic basket.

James’ mother, wife and children also sat courtside amid a celebrity-studded crowd that rose in waves of anticipation nearly every time he touched the ball.

James didn’t let them down: After scoring 20 points in the first half with a full showcase of the offensive talent that still shines blindingly after two decades in the NBA, he set the new record with a 16-point third quarter capped by that pretty jumper.

The game was stopped for about 10 minutes while James hugged his family and participated in a brief ceremony with Silver and Abdul-Jabbar. James said he almost never cries, but he acknowledged the tears in his eyes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.