Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 28,000 points, achieving the feat during his side’s 111-104 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday.

The four-time MVP notched 32 points during the victory at Madison Square Garden to surpass the milestone at the age of 32 years, 36 days, breaking the record of 33 years, 131 days previously held by Kobe Bryant.

James, who is eighth on the NBA’s all-time points scoring list, has top scored for the Cavs in each of their last three games, and had to shoulder a greater burden against the Knicks, as point guard Kyrie Irving was side-lined with a right quad problem.

The 32-year-old admits it was tough for his side to grind out the victory without Irving, but he was impressed by the way team-mates DeAndre Liggins and Kay Felder stepped up to the plate.

“It’s hard (playing without Irving), but guys have to step up,” James said. “Kyrie is more than just a playmaker or a scorer. He is one of our leaders.

D Ligs (Liggins) and Kay (Felder) did as good as they could do.” James will be hoping to continue his good form in the Cavs next match, a clash with the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on Monday.

Tyronn Lue’s men are currently top of both the Central Division and Eastern Conference, meaning they are in a strong position to go on and successfully defend the NBA Championship they won for the first time in 2016.