Melo after passing Malone for 9th on NBA's scoring list: 'I'm still here'

Carmelo Anthony knocked off another milestone in his long and storied career Sunday, passing Moses Malone for ninth on the NBA's all-time scoring list during the Los Angeles Lakers' 121-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Anthony attributed the accomplishment to a love for basketball that continues to burn bright after nearly two decades in the Association.

"I'm still here doing it," the 37-year-old said postgame, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I think that's what I'm honestly excited about. I'm here in Year 19 still doing what I'm able to do. Still passionate about the game. Still passionate about coming to work every day and getting better.

"And what a better night to reach ninth than with a win, the way that we needed a win tonight."

Anthony entered Sunday's contest needing 15 points to move past Malone. The milestone bucket came on a pull-up triple late in the third quarter.

It was the highlight of an efficient performance from the veteran forward, who finished with a team-high 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting in 28 minutes of play. Anthony scored 12 of his points in the fourth quarter to help the Lakers secure their first win of the 2021-22 campaign.

"Scoring the basketball is not easy. We may make it look easy, but it's not easy," Anthony said. "For me, this is 19 years of repetition. And night in and night out, day in and day out. Every summer. Every season.

"I'm reaping those benefits right now because of the persistence that I have in my professionalism: what I bring to the game, how I approach the game. And I want to keep going. That's all that matters to me."