Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has etched his name in the annals of basketball history yet again, becoming the first player ever to reach the monumental milestone of 40,000 career points in the NBA. This historic feat was achieved during the Lakers’ recent home game against the Denver Nuggets, albeit in a losing effort with a final score of 124-114.
The momentous basket that propelled James into this exclusive club came in the second quarter, as he executed a left-handed layup with 10:41 remaining on the clock. The crowd at Crypto.com Arena erupted into thunderous cheers, acknowledging the significance of witnessing history unfold before their eyes.
Despite the game’s outcome, the magnitude of James’s accomplishment was not lost on anyone present. Following the basket, play continued momentarily before the Lakers called a timeout, allowing the fans to rise to their feet in a standing ovation for the basketball icon. James’s teammates also joined in the celebration, offering high-fives as he made his way to the bench. A video tribute further commemorated the occasion, underscoring James’s unparalleled impact on the sport.
At 39 years old, James has been rewriting the record books since surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s longstanding mark of 38,387 points to claim the title of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer last season. Approaching the game against the Nuggets, James found himself on the brink of yet another historic milestone, needing just nine points to reach the illustrious 40,000-point threshold.
Reflecting on his achievement, James expressed humility and gratitude, acknowledging the significance of the moment while maintaining his focus on the team’s objectives. “No one has ever done it. And for me to be in this position at this point in time in my career, I think it’s pretty cool,” James remarked following a previous victory against the Washington Wizards. “Does it sit like one of the top of my things I’ve done in my career? No. Does it mean something? Of course, absolutely. Why wouldn’t it?”
In addition to his scoring prowess, James contributed 26 points and nine assists in the game against the Nuggets, further solidifying his legacy as one of the most versatile and dominant players in NBA history. Notably, he extended his record-setting streak of consecutive games with double-digit scoring to an astonishing 1,205 games, a testament to his sustained excellence over the course of his illustrious career.
Anthony Davis, James’s teammate and fellow NBA star, offered insight into the magnitude of James’s accomplishment, emphasizing the improbability of any player surpassing his scoring record. “It’s just tough because he’s not finished playing, so it’s only going to increase and that gap is going to get bigger and bigger,” Davis remarked. “Every time he plays like it’s going to be a new milestone every time.”
