LeBron James became the first player in the history of the NBA to score 40,000 points on Saturday night.
The NBA legend reached the milestone during the second quarter of Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-114 loss against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena, hitting a scoop layup off the glass.
James, who entered the game needing nine points to reach the milestone, used a spin move to create separation from Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. and put the ball in with his left hand as the all-time scoring leader continues to put his record further out of reach.
The sold-out crowd in downtown Los Angeles roared with approval when James made the highly-anticipated shot to reach 40,000 points.
James received a standing ovation at the next timeout, while coach Darvin Ham gave him a congratulatory pat on the chest. There was an in-arena video presentation, which was preceded and followed by James raising the ball over his head.
LeBron James became the first player in the history of the NBA to score 40,000 points
LeBron James scores the bucket to become the first player in league history to score 40,000 career points 👑
DEN-LAL Live on ABC pic.twitter.com/I84Xd5hiWf
— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2024
The legend received a standing ovation at the next timeout from the sold-out crowd
There was a video presentation displayed on the big screens at Crypto.com Arena
James shot an airball on his first attempt of the night but responded by getting out in transition for a layup for his first points and prompting the Nuggets to use their first timeout. He then made a corner 3-pointer before subbing out with 3:19 left in the first quarter.
James checked back in to start the second quarter, attacking the basket 14 seconds into the period to set up the milestone score.
The four-time champion ‘King James’ became the league’s scoring king just over a year ago when he passed Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
On February 7 2023, James broke the 34-year record in front of fans who had shelled out thousands to secure a seat at Crypto.com arena to witness history and Abdul-Jabbar himself.
The King claimed the record with 10.9 seconds remaining in the third quarter with a trademark fadeaway dagger.
He reached 39,000 points on November 21 in an In-Season Tournament game against the Utah Jazz.
Ham was a young fan when Abdul-Jabbar was finishing out his career and assumed the record would never be challenged, let alone surpassed in the way James has.
‘But here we are,’ Ham said 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.’
The Lakers video tribute to LeBron James that played after he was presented the game ball during a timeout after becoming the first player in league history to reach 40,000 points. pic.twitter.com/DLZygRusAY
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 3, 2024
The all-time scoring leader celebrates after he continued to put his record further out of reach
Just over a year ago, the Lakers star surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s (right) record
James, 39, has also played the second-most regular season and most playoff minutes in league history. He is the only NBA player with at least 10,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists.
The 39-year-old is the oldest player in the NBA, but continues to produce at an elite level in his 21st season, where he is on track to average about 25 points per game.
On Wednesday, James scored 19 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 21-point deficit to the Clippers as the 10th placed Lakers fight for a playoff spot in the crowded Western Conference.
Drafted into the league as a teenager, the Akron, Ohio native has more than delivered on the massive expectations put on his broad shoulders at a young age.
A versatile forward, he helped usher in the era of position-less basketball, winning four titles with three different teams, four MVP awards and four Finals MVP awards.
He used a spin move to create separation from Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. (left)
James has a player-option for the 2024-25 NBA season, which gives him the power to decide whether to stay with the Lakers for another year or become an unrestricted free agent.
So far, he has refrained from committing to the Lakers beyond the current season.
In January, James was among the 41 names listed in USA Basketball’s player pool for the Paris Olympics.
James has not played for Team USA since he won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
