LeBron James made NBA history on Saturday, becoming the first player to reach 40,000 career points. During the Los Angeles Lakers’ home game against the Denver Nuggets, James achieved this feat with a scoop layup off the glass in the second quarter.
Needing just nine points to reach the milestone, LeBron James utilized a spin move to create space from Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. and finished with his left hand, solidifying his status as the all-time scoring leader.
The sold-out crowd in downtown Los Angeles erupted with excitement as James made the highly-anticipated shot to reach 40,000 points, showering him with cheers and giving him a standing ovation as he went to the bench at the next break.
“King James,” a four-time champion, ascended to the league’s scoring throne just over a year ago when he surpassed Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
Despite being 39 years old, James remains the oldest player in the NBA, yet he continues to perform at an elite level in his 21st season, maintaining an impressive scoring average of around 25 points per game.
On Wednesday, James showcased his clutch performance by scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Lakers to overcome a 21-point deficit against the Clippers.
This remarkable comeback effort underscores the Lakers’ determination to secure a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference, currently sitting in 10th place.
Hailing from Akron, Ohio, James entered the league as a teenager and has surpassed immense expectations placed upon him from a young age.
As a versatile forward, he has been instrumental in revolutionizing the game with his ability to excel in a position-less basketball era. James boasts an impressive resume, winning four NBA titles with three different teams, along with four MVP awards and four Finals MVP awards.
James holds a player-option for the 2024-25 NBA season, affording him the choice to either extend his tenure with the Lakers or explore unrestricted free agency.
As of now, he has yet to confirm his intentions beyond the current season, keeping fans and analysts speculating about his future.
In January, James was included in USA Basketball’s player pool for the Paris Olympics, indicating a potential return to the international stage.
Despite not representing Team USA since claiming gold at the 2012 London Olympics, his inclusion in the player pool signals a possible comeback to Olympic competition.