Lakers' LeBron James Passes Isiah Thomas for 8th on NBA's All-Time Assist List

Megan ArmstrongAnalyst IIIJanuary 14, 2020

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 13, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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LeBron James continues to climb the NBA's all-time assists leaderboard.

The Los Angeles Lakers' All-Star forward surpassed Hall of Famer and Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas for sole possession of eighth place during the team's Monday night matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers:

Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
The Kid from Akron passes the leader of the Bad Boys. Congrats, @KingJames! https://t.co/KHz4G5uyvv

NBA @NBA
Congrats to @KingJames of the @Lakers for moving up to 8th on the all-time ASSISTS list! #LakeShow https://t.co/sK0YRLC8pv

James talked about the feat after the game, per Rodrigo Azurmendi of NBA.com:

"One of the best point guards this game has ever seen. And one of the toughest as well. Just his upbringing, coming from Chicago, doing the things he was able to do on the floor. From Indiana going to the Bad Boys in Detroit, just setting the tone for what he wanted his career to be...Anytime I'm linked with the greats, and 'Zeke being one of those, it's just an honor, and I think back to my childhood and where I'm from."

James had already reshuffled the list this season, bypassing Gary Payton during a 111-104 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 19:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
Bron passes Gary Payton on the all-time assists list 👑 https://t.co/OblJdUPAwQ

Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
The @Lakers LeBron James has passed Gary Payton and is now ninth all time in career assists. James is the only player to rank in the top 10 in both career points and career assists.

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The three-time NBA champion, whose most recent title came with the Cavaliers in 2016, leads the Lakers with 10.7 assists per game.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Chris Paul—one of James' banana-boat buddies—currently sits in seventh place.