Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives past Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Nov 2, 2015. The Cavaliers won 107-100. [Photo/Agencies & Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports]

"Obviously, they're Sixer fans to death, but they know and they respect the game of basketball," James added. "To get a standing ovation reaching that milestone, it was very special."

The former Miami Heat leader said the mark was a tribute to playing with "two great organisations" and having great team mates and coaches around him. The most important thing, he said, was, "I've been able to stay healthy, relative, in my career."

Then he knocked on a wooden bench. The ice bags were still on his knees and his feet were still in the bucket.

Sixers coach Brett Brown was, of course, asked about James afterward, and he talked not so much about his scoring as his leadership and intellect.

"He sees stuff," Brown said. "He's telling us about an assist before he even passes it. It's just the whole package he brings to the table. He's very, very unusual and very unique."