In 1989, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played his 1,560th and final game. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Seattle SuperSonics 121-117. Abdul-Jabbar finished his career with an NBA record 38,387 points. More than twenty years later, he is still the all-time leader in points scored, field goals made, and career wins. He won six MVP awards and was selected to the All-NBA team 15 times, the NBA All-Stars 19 times and the NBA All-Defensive Team 11 times. Abdul-Jabbar was named the second best player in NBA history, behind Michael Jordan, and was appointed as a global cultural ambassador in 2012. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.
Today in Sports History: April 23
INGLEWOOD, CA - 1987: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar #33 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots against the Portland Traiblazers circa 1987 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, 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 1987 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)