LeBron James: first player in NBA history with 40,000 career points

LeBron James achieved a milestone on Saturday night, reaching 40,000 points in his 21st NBA season while aiming to solidify his legacy.

James maneuvered past Michael Porter Jr. and executed a layup with 10:39 remaining in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ matchup against the Denver Nuggets, marking the historic moment.

Following the basket, James received a standing ovation, with coach Darvin Ham offering a congratulatory pat on the chest. The arena showcased a video presentation, complemented by James raising the ball over his head in acknowledgment.

Though James initially missed his first shot of the night, he swiftly responded, scoring a layup for his first points and prompting the Nuggets to call a timeout. Subsequently, he sunk a corner three-pointer before briefly exiting the game with 3:19 left in the first quarter.

Returning to the court at the start of the second quarter, James wasted no time, driving to the basket just 14 seconds into the period to achieve the historic milestone.

James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points on February 7, 2023, during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He reached the 39,000-point mark on November 21 during an In-Season Tournament game against the Utah Jazz.

Ham, who witnessed Abdul-Jabbar's career as a young fan, expressed disbelief at the record's challenge, let alone its surpassing, by James.

“But here we are,” Ham remarked before the game. “It’s a testament to Bron, just the time and resources he spends on himself, making sure not only he is healthy but he’s healthy at a high level.”

At 39, James boasts the second-most regular season and the most playoff minutes in NBA history. He remains the sole player with over 10,000 points, rebounds, and assists in his career.

Michael Malone, Nuggets coach and former assistant to James during his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2005-10, continues to be astounded by James's enduring excellence.

“I don’t get caught up in the number per se, but you just have to marvel at the continued greatness,” Malone reflected.

“Just to do what he’s doing at this stage of his career, and it doesn’t appear like he’s slowing down at all, which is even scarier. Really, when you take a step back, you just have to marvel at the longevity. But he’s just not playing at this. He is playing effectively.”