Cleveland superstar LeBron James surpassed NBA icon Michael Jordan as the league's all-time playoff scoring leader on Thursday in the Cavaliers' Eastern Conference finals game against the Celtics in Boston.

LeBron James goes up for a dunk against the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on Friday. /VCG Photo

With a three-pointer in the third quarter James, 32, took his total of playoff points to 5,989 – two more than Jordan's 5,987. He entered the contest needing 28 points to surpass Jordan.

Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles in the 1990s, played 179 post-season games in his career. James moves past him to the top of the list in his 212th career playoff game.

(Source: AFP)