On Saturday evening, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 points.
The NBA legend reached the milestone during the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena, hitting a scoop off the glass.
James, who entered the game needing nine points to reach the milestone, used a spin move to create separation from Michael Porter Jr. from Denver and placed the ball with his left hand as the all-time scoring leader continued to extend his record. of range.
The sold-out crowd in downtown Los Angeles roared with approval as James made the long-awaited shot to reach 40,000 points.
James received a standing ovation the next time out, with coach Darvin Ham giving him a congratulatory pat on the chest. There was a video presentation in the arena, which was preceded and followed by James raising the ball above his head.
LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 points
The legend received a standing ovation from the sold-out crowd the next time out
A video presentation was displayed on the big screens of Crypto.com Arena
James fired an airball on his first attempt of the night, but responded by stepping out in transition for a layup for his first points and prompting the Nuggets to use their first timeout. He then made a 3-pointer in the corner before fouling out with 3:19 left in the first quarter.
James checked back in to start the second quarter and attacked 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 for fans spending thousands to secure a seat in the Crypto.com arena to witness history and Abdul-Jabbar himself.
The King claimed the record with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter with a signature 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 wrapped up 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 he’s not only healthy, but at a high level.”
The all-time leader is celebrating after pushing his record further and further out of reach
Just over a year ago, the Lakers star surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record (right)
James, 39, 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 perform at an elite level in his 21st season, where he is on pace to average around 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-ranked Lakers fought for a playoff spot in the crowded Western Conference.
Drafted into the league as a teenager, the Akron, Ohio native has more than lived up to the enormous expectations placed on his broad shoulders at a young age.
A versatile forward, he helped usher in the era of positionless basketball by winning four titles with three different teams, four MVP awards and four Finals MVP awards.
He used a spin move to create separation with Michael Porter Jr. from Denver (left)
James has a player option for the 2024-2025 NBA season, giving him the power to decide whether he stays with the Lakers for another year or becomes an unrestricted free agent.
So far, he has refrained from committing to the Lakers beyond the current season.
In January, James was among 41 names in USA Basketball’s player pool for the Paris Olympics.
James hasn’t played for Team USA since winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
