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Sports

LeBron James becomes NBA playoff scoring leader

May 26, 2017

The Cleveland Cavalier topped Jordan in the third quarter of game five of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavaliers will play the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals for the third straight year.

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NBA Cleveland Cavaliers v Boston Celtics- LeBron James
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/E. Amendola

The Cavaliers cruised into the NBA Finals for the third straight season, and James overtook a legend in the process. With a three-pointer in the third quarter of Thursday night's 135-102 blowout over the Boston Celtics, James overtook legendary Michael Jordan for most playoff points in NBA history.

Michael Jordan, who won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990's, scored 5,987 playoff points in his career. James scored 35 points on the night, giving him 5,995 points in the playoffs in his career.

"I've always told you guys, anytime I'm linked to any of the greats, even the greatest in Mike (Jordan), it's just an honor," said James before the game.

"It's a tribute to what I've been able to do with this game."

James shot 13 of 18 from the floor on the night, including 4 of 7 from three-point range. 

James is currently the seventh highest scoring player in NBA history. Dallas Maverick and German Dirk Nowitzki is sixth. The Cavaliers will play the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals for the third consecutive year. The Warriors won in 2015, the team's first title in 40 years, and the Cavaliers won in 2016, ending a professional sports title drought in Cleveland that lasted 52 years. James is seeking his fourth NBA title, and second with the Cavaliers. James has appeared in every NBA Finals since 2011.

kbd/rc (AFP, AP, Reuters)