LeBron James made history on Saturday night at the Crypto.com Arena, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 career points.
He reached this milestone with a layup in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets, finishing the game with 26 points and putting his career total at 40,017 points.
Even though his team, Lakers, suffered a 124-114 loss at the Saturday night game, he said he still felt honored to achieve something that no one else has done in the NBA.
“Being the first player to do something, it’s pretty cool in this league, just knowing the history, the greats that’s come through the league, and then you see some of the greats on the floor tonight, it was great to compete……..I feel like I’m still that threat out on the floor and I am still able to do the things that I was doing 10 years ago. And some things I was doing 20 years ago, which is weird to say.””
The arena celebrated LeBron James’ achievement with a tribute video and a standing ovation. He was seen waving to his family in the stands before going to receive the game ball.
According to the ESPN leader board, James, 39, is now the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), and Michael Jordan (32,292). He has won four championships, four MVP awards, four Finals MVP awards, and 17 All-Star selections.
The basketball legend is the only player in NBA history to rank in the top five in both points and assists. He is also ranked in the top 10 in several other statistical categories, such as minutes played, assists, steals, and games played.
LeBron James is in his 21st season in the NBA and his fourth with the Lakers. The athlete has played with and against some of the greatest players of all time. He is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time and one of the most influential athletes in the world.
