Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has shattered another record, becoming the first player in NBA history to surpass 50,000 combined points in the regular season and playoffs. The milestone came on Tuesday night in front of an electrified home crowd at Crypto.com Arena against the New Orleans Pelicans.
A Record Unlike Any Other
James, 40, has defied every expectation throughout his legendary 22-year career. This latest feat is yet another testament to his longevity, skill, and dominance on the court. He entered the game just one point shy of 50,000 but wasted no time putting his name in the record books.
His previous game against the LA Clippers had left him tantalizingly close—he scored 17 points in a 108-102 victory, falling just one point short of the milestone. Against the Pelicans, he made sure there was no delay in getting it done.
Passing Legends, Creating His Own Legacy
This isn’t the first time James has rewritten the record books. In 2023, he overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, ending a reign that had lasted for 39 years. Even before that, he surpassed Michael Jordan’s playoff scoring record in 2017, breaking a mark that had stood for nearly two decades.
With his latest milestone, James continues to widen the gap between himself and those who came before him. He’s closing in on 42,000 regular-season points and already has over 8,000 playoff points. Considering the Lakers are likely headed to the postseason, that total is far from final.
Still Among the League’s Elite
Even at 40, James isn’t just coasting on past accomplishments—he’s still playing at an elite level. He was recently named the Western Conference Player of the Month for February after putting up stunning numbers:
- 29.3 points per game
- 10.5 rebounds per game
- 6.9 assists per game
- 55.5% shooting from the field
- 44.3% from three-point range
During that same stretch, James also became the only player in league history to record multiple 40+ point games after turning 40. Michael Jordan is the only other player to drop 40 in a game at that age, hitting 43 in a 2003 performance.
What’s Next for LeBron?
James’ ability to evolve his game is what has kept him among the best for more than two decades. His current season averages—24.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game—show that he’s still as impactful as ever.
With four NBA championships, four MVPs, 20 All-NBA selections, and a spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, there’s little left for him to prove. But if history has shown anything, it’s that LeBron James is far from finished.
