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LeBron James has rewritten the NBA record books once again, becoming the first player in league history to score 50,000 combined points across regular season and playoff games. The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers superstar achieved the milestone in Tuesday night’s 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
James entered the game just one point shy of the historic mark and wasted no time making history, sinking a three-pointer from the left wing in the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. He went on to lead the Lakers with 34 points, further solidifying his place as the most prolific scorer in basketball history.
A Record That Stands Alone
The achievement places James in a league of his own, as no other player has come within 5,000 points of the 50K threshold. Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who held the all-time scoring record before James surpassed him in 2023, sits in second place with 44,149 combined points. Among active players, Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant remains the closest, with 35,225 total points.
James’s career scoring total now stands at 50,033 points—41,837 from the regular season and 8,162 from playoff games—numbers that continue to grow as he shows no signs of slowing down in his 22nd NBA season.
James Reflects on His Legacy
Speaking after the game, James acknowledged the magnitude of the accomplishment.
“I’m not going to sit here and sugarcoat it – it’s a hell of a lot of points,” James told Spectrum SportsNet. “I’m super blessed to be able to put up that many points in the best league in the world, against the best players in the world, for as long as I have.”
James has built a reputation for sustained excellence and durability, outlasting multiple generations of NBA stars. His latest feat comes nearly two years after he surpassed Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing regular-season scoring record and more than six years after eclipsing Michael Jordan’s all-time playoff scoring mark.
Lakers’ Championship Aspirations
Beyond individual accolades, James’s dominance continues to impact the Lakers’ success. The team has surged in recent weeks, extending its winning streak to six games and climbing to second place in the Western Conference. The recent addition of Luka Dončić in a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis has further strengthened their championship aspirations, and James remains the centerpiece of their title hopes.
Despite being the oldest player in the league, James remains one of its best, averaging nearly 25 points, eight rebounds, and more than eight assists per game this season. His efforts were recognized earlier in the day when he was named Western Conference Player of the Month for February, making him the oldest player to ever receive the honor.
As the Lakers push toward another deep playoff run, James continues to defy expectations, proving that even after two decades in the league, his dominance is far from over.
