LeBron James playing against Denver Nuggets. Photo/CBS Sport
Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James 40 000 points is a high bar
Many elite NBA players may never achieve this record
He is an All-time NBA scorer
Los Angeles Lakers player LeBron James 40 000 points is a high bar that many elite NBA players may never achieve. The Lakers power forward is all about making history in the NBA while the clock ticks in his final years of playing professional basketball.
At 39, James now holds the record for most points scored in the NBA, surpassing that of Kareem Abdul Jabbar. He attained this record in February 2023 in a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. He broke Abdul-Jabbar’s 1989 record of 38,387 points with 38 points. He was always envious of Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA achievements and he worked his entire basketball career to achieve it.
WHEN DID LEBRON HIT 40000 POINTS?
LeBron James 40 000 points came about on Saturday, March 2 during a fierce face-off with Denver Nuggets. He scooped a layup off the glass in the second quarter of the game. The all-time leading scorer in the NBA continued to push his record farther away. He executed a spin move to get away from Denver’s Michael Porter Jr. and put the ball in with his left hand. James needed nine points going into the game to hit the milestone.
LeBron James. Photo/SkySports
The packed downtown Los Angeles arena erupted in cheers upon James’ much-awaited basket to hit 40,000 points. Lakers fans elatedly gave him a standing ovation when he took the floor during a match break. James is expected to average roughly 25 points per game in his 21st season as the oldest player in the NBA. He is still the best NBA player today at 39 years.
HOW MANY NBA PLAYERS HAVE 40000 POINTS?
There is no other player with an NBA record of 40,000 points. It is LeBron James 40 000 points that seal it all as the first and only NBA player to reach this milestone. As history goes in the NBA, legendary basketball star Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points in one NBA season. No one else has ever achieved something like that.
Elgin Baylor set a record for the highest average in a season when he finished with 38.3 points per game. Keep in mind that James could play one more season, or maybe two. When he’s done, he may easily hit 43,000 or 44,000. That will simply increase the record’s impossibility.
Wilt Chamberlain. Photo/YouTube
Only seven players, excluding James, have more than 20,000 points now in play, which means that just seven players are halfway to 40,000 points. LeBron James 40 000 points are a combination of experience and quality. James is the only player with more NBA seasons played than Vince Carter. If he returns for Year 22 of the upcoming season, as predicted, he will tie Carter’s record.
Basketball pundits say that playing for what seems like an eternity is what makes it a near impossibility to beat James’ record.
WHERE DOES LEBRON RANK IN ALL TIME SCORING?
LeBron James averages 40,017 points to rank as NBA’s all-time scorer. He smashed this record in February 2023. It was previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabar, a veteran basketball player who inspired James throughout his basketball career. Abdul has 38,387 scores to his NBA record. He held this record for more than three decades as his closest rival, Karl Malone had 36,928 career scores.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Photo/Fox Sports
The late Kobe Bryant who played alongside James in Los Angeles averaged 33,643 by the time of his death in January 2020.
HOW OLD WAS LEBRON WHEN HE GOT 20,000 POINTS?
Hold the thought about LeBron James 40 000 points at 39 years. He hit 20,000 points when he was 28 years old then playing for Miami Heat. James joined the Heat in 2010 and went on to win two NBA championships with them before returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014.
WHAT RECORDS DOES LEBRON JAMES HOLD?
The father of three holds a mountain of NBA records. Here are a few of the most impressive besides LeBron James 40 000 points.
All-time leading scorer: He surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in February 2024, becoming the first player with over 40,000 points.
First player with a triple-double average for a season: Averaging at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists throughout an entire season is a rare feat, and LeBron accomplished it.
Most NBA Finals appearances: He has played in a record 10 NBA Finals, seeking his fifth championship ring.
Youngest player to reach 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists: This achievement showcases his all-around dominance.
Teresa is a journalist with years of experience in creating web content. She is a wanderlust at heart, but an outgoing sports writer with focus on tennis, athletics, football, motorsports and NBA.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login