LeBron James becomes the first player to score more than 40,000 points in the NBA

In February 2023, LeBron James climbed a mountain by seizing the points record from legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,390 points). With 26 points scored Saturday against Denver and a total of 40,017 points, the “King” of the city of Angels has now soared, and only he knows to what height he will carry this mark.

LeBron James does not want 30,000 (reached in 2018), he does not want 40,000, but always more, he the basketball player of all records, redefining the notion of longevity for his 21st NBA season, while he will celebrate his 40 years old at the end of the year, he is currently the oldest player in the league. The native of Akron (Ohio) remains unclear about the end of his career: “I haven't decided how many seasons I have left to play,” he explained again in mid-February, when he can activate an additional contract year with the Lakers this summer.

LeBron James only needed nine points to surpass 40,000 on Saturday during a gala match against defending champion Denver, broadcast on a national channel. During the second quarter, he scored a layup after a spin to reach 40,000 points, before the ball was taken out of play. The crowd gave him a standing ovation during the following timeout .

“Being the first player to achieve something is always pretty cool in this league which has a great history, and which has had great eras. But the main thing is always victory, I hate the fact that it took place during a defeat, especially against a team that plays so well,” said James, disappointed by the Lakers’ setback (124-114). “We played good basketball but we didn't manage to finish, so it's bittersweet, even if I enjoyed every moment on the floor.” “It’s an incredible feat, I take my hat off to him,” praised his coach Darvin Ham.

Out of all his points, James scored 23,119 with Cleveland in two stints and eleven seasons, where he started in 2003, before returning in 2014 to win a title in 2016. He has 7,919 points with the Heat from Miami, where he won his first two rings (2012 and 2013), and now 8,979 with the Lakers, whom he joined in 2018 for a title won in 2020. This record is calculated by the NBA only on matches of regular season. LeBron James, four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP, also has 8,023 points in the play-offs.