Lakers’ LeBron James becomes first NBA player to score 40,000 career points
In a historic feat on Saturday, LeBron James, the indomitable forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, etched his name in the annals of basketball glory by becoming the first player in NBA history to score an unprecedented 40,000 points. The milestone moment arrived in the second quarter of the Lakers’ clash against the Denver Nuggets when James showcased his trademark drive, eluding the defense of Michael Porter Jr. to sink a layup with 10:39 on the clock.
Despite James’s extraordinary accomplishment, the Lakers succumbed to a 124-114 defeat against the Nuggets. Post-game, LeBron shared his mixed emotions, stating, “I hate it that it had to happen in a defeat, especially versus a team that plays extremely well. We played some good basketball tonight, but weren’t able to close it out.”
This marks the second instance in just over a year that the basketball universe has fixated its gaze on LeBron James. In February of 2023, James ascended to the summit of career points, surpassing the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, another Lakers luminary. Abdul-Jabbar still holds the second position in NBA history with 38,387 career points, while the iconic Kobe Bryant, sadly no longer with us, ranks fourth with 33,463 points.
LeBron’s achievement in reaching the 40,000-point mark is accentuated by the efficiency of his journey. It took him 1,475 career games to accomplish this remarkable feat, notably fewer than the 1,560 appearances Abdul-Jabbar needed to reach the same milestone. As the King continues to redefine basketball greatness, fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the next chapter in his illustrious career.
In a dazzling display of basketball prowess, LeBron James has etched his name into the NBA annals once again, securing yet another record to add to his illustrious career. The King now stands as the undisputed owner of the NBA record for the most consecutive games scoring at least 10 points, an awe-inspiring feat spanning an impressive 1,161 straight appearances.
Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ heart-stopping 134-131 overtime victory against the Washington Wizards on Thursday, James, ever the humble maestro, shared his thoughts with the media. “No, I never thought about getting the scoring record. It just happened organically,” he remarked with characteristic modesty. “I played the game the right way and went out and played the game and let the game come to me, and the scoring record happened organically for me. It was never a goal of mine when I came into the league, like I wanted to be the all-time leading scorer. But I’m still playing. And I can still score the ball, so it’s going to go up until I’m done playing.”
LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion, clinched his most recent title with the Lakers in a triumphant 2020 campaign. The future first-ballot Hall of Famer boasts an enviable collection of accolades, including four NBA Finals MVPs, four regular-season MVPs, and an astounding 13-time All-NBA First Team honors. As he continues to rewrite the script of basketball greatness, James’s indomitable spirit and unmatched skills leave fans and foes alike eagerly anticipating the next chapter in his storied career.
Playing in his 21st season, James is averaging 25.3 points, 7.9 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game this season, becoming the first player in league history to be named to 20 NBA All-Star teams. Earlier this season, James helped lead the Lakers to the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament championship title, while earning tournament MVP honors.