LeBron James further cemented his place in the NBA record books by reaching 40,000 career points in Saturday night’s home game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets.
James, who holds the pro-basketball league record for most career points since last year, was within 9 points of the feat heading into the game. A layup in the second quarter pushed James to 40,000.
James’ presence was uncertain Saturday night.
on Friday, The NBA echoed the report The Lakers listed James as questionable for the Nuggets game because of soreness and swelling in his left ankle, LakersNation.com reported. But James has been known to play and play well regardless of where he is on the roster.
Lakers fans once again held James in high regard, but playing for his home state’s Cleveland Cavaliers as well as the Miami Heat contributed to his career.
Another milestone coming later this year, with his 40th birthday, James’ outstanding performances coincided with retirement age for nearly every professional athlete.
In February, James became the first NBA player to appear in 20 All-Star games this year as captain of the West. He scored 8 points in a 14-minute game in which East won 211-186.
“The most important thing for me is my health” James said on time.
He has played more minutes than any other NBA player, past or present, and will match eight-time All-Star and retired Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter for most seasons after his expected return next season: 22.
But despite his many accomplishments, he still has professional goals.
James said he wants to play in the NBA with his sons. University of Southern California combo guard Bronnycollege freshman and Sierra Canyon School shooting guard Bryce, a high school sophomore.
On February 7, 2023 James scored his 38,388th point In a home game against the Oklahoma Thunder, he surpassed former Laker Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points. This achievement elevated him to the position of the all-time scorer.
After the Lakers’ 134-131 overtime win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday, James suggested that reaching 40,000 was another metaphorical child of his career — precious but not as significant as first-born Abdul-Jabbar’s total.
“Nobody’s done that,” he said in Thursday’s postgame press conference after scoring 40,000 career points. “I think it’s great to be in this position at this point in my career. Does it stand at the top of what I’ve done in my career? No. Does it mean something? Sure. Absolutely. Why not?”
The league’s all-time scoring leader is not guaranteed.
There is only one other active player among today’s top 10 career players — Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns — who has 38,113 points through Friday and could score as many at 35.
A number of young players could challenge James’ record as the world also considers his legacy.
Dallas Mavericks’ Slovenian striker Luka Doncic was the top scorer of the 2023-24 season. A 3-pointer against the Phoenix Suns on Christmas night pushed him past 10,000 career NBA points. He turned 25 on Wednesday.
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 25; Milwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo, 29; Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell Jr., 27; and Durant rounded out the top five scorers of the season.
James’ 31-point performance on Thursday helped the Lakers beat the Wizards and moved him within nine points of the 40,000-point mark.
In his post-game press conference, James noted that he still has the all-time scoring title and made it clear that he will maintain his point streak.
“When I came into the league, it was never my goal because I wanted to be the greatest scorer of all time,” he said.
“But I’m still playing, so…” he said.
“It’s going to keep going up until I’m done playing,” he said of his career.