LeBron James has made history once again, becoming the first player in NBA history to surpass 50k career points, including both regular season and playoff games.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar reached this unprecedented milestone with a three-pointer in the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena.
A Record That May Never Be Broken
James, at 40 years old, continues to defy expectations in his 22nd NBA season. Entering the game, he needed just one more point to reach the historic mark. With his first shot of the night, a deep three-pointer, he officially secured his place in basketball immortality.
Already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, LeBron had previously surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s regular-season record of 38,387 points in 2023. Now, by adding his playoff numbers, he extends his lead over every player in league history.
LeBron James 50k points Career Breakdown
The 50,000 points milestone consists of:
- 🏀 41,837 points in the regular season
- 🏆 8,162 points in the postseason
Throughout his 20-plus year NBA career, LeBron has put up impressive numbers and maintained his level of play throughout the decades. His longevity is something unparalleled in the world of sports, especially at the elite level.
This puts him nearly 6,000 points ahead of the previous combined record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (44,149 total points). Behind them are other NBA legends:
- 📫 Karl Malone – 41,689 points
- 🐍 Kobe Bryant – 39,283 points
- 🌟 Michael Jordan – 38,279 points
Among active players, Kevin Durant is the closest competitor with 35,191 points, still far behind LeBron’s record.
What’s Next for LeBron?
Even at 40 years old, LeBron continues to perform at an elite level. He was just named Western Conference Player of the Month. This season, he is averaging 24.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game.
The Lakers, currently surging in the Western Conference, are riding a seven-game winning streak, making them serious contenders for another deep playoff run.
As James rewrites the history books, the question remains: How far can he push this record before he retires?