LeBron James is the First Person to Ever Score 40,000 Career Points

Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James has etched his name in NBA history, surging past the elusive 40,000 career points threshold—a groundbreaking achievement that unfolded during the Lakers’ 124-114 home game setback against the Denver Nuggets. With this milestone, King James further solidifies his status as the league’s all-time leading scorer.

The historic moment materialized with a left-handed layup just 10:41 into the second quarter, triggering an eruption of cheers and a standing ovation from the crowd. Despite the ongoing battle between the Lakers and the Nuggets, a timeout called by the Lakers a minute later brought forth more jubilation as James retreated to the bench. The intermission featured a tribute video, commemorating the colossal accomplishment. It’s worth noting that just last season, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding record of 38,387 career points, ascending to the summit of NBA’s scoring hierarchy. At the recent clash with the Nuggets, the four-time NBA champion found himself a mere nine points away from this unparalleled record—an achievement that seemed almost inevitable for the seasoned league veteran.

40,000 POINTS FOR LEBRON 👑 pic.twitter.com/slXCrgiXCp
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 3, 2024

In a post-game interview, James reflected on the milestone, stating, “Obviously, I’m never thinking about a milestone when I’m out there battling, but when it happens, obviously we acknowledge it.” He went on to express his appreciation for being the first player to accomplish such a feat, recognizing the historical significance amidst the presence of other basketball greats. Despite the historic individual achievement, James did not shy away from addressing the team’s loss, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the moment. “But for me, the main thing is always the main thing, and that’s to win. I hate that it had to happen in a defeat, especially versus a team that plays extremely well basketball. We played some good basketball tonight but weren’t able to close it out. Bittersweet, but I enjoyed every moment tonight on the floor,” James remarked.

Now in his 21st season, James maintains an impressive season average of 25.3 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.1 rebounds per game, further solidifying his enduring impact on the sport.