KING JAMES MAKES HISTORY: LEBRON BECOMES THE NBA’S FIRST 50,000-POINT MAN!
LeBron James just did the unthinkable—again. The 40-year-old Los Angeles Lakers legend has officially shattered another barrier, becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 50,000 combined points in regular-season and playoff action.
A Historic Shot, A Legendary Night Entering Tuesday night’s showdown against the New Orleans Pelicans, LeBron needed just one point to cement his place in history. He wasted no time.
On his very first shot—a cold-blooded 3-pointer from the left wing off a Luka Doncic assist—James etched his name into basketball immortality, putting the Lakers up 13-6 with 8:34 left in the first quarter. The moment? Pure chills.
During the ensuing timeout, the Lakers’ longtime public address announcer, Lawrence Tanter, addressed the roaring crowd: “Ladies and gentlemen, we all have just witnessed history.”
And what a performance it was. LeBron didn’t just break records—he dominated, finishing the night with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists as the Lakers steamrolled the Pelicans 136-115.
The Lakers, who looked dead in the water earlier this season, have now won 17 of their last 20 games and sit second in the Western Conference at 39-21. And the King? He’s still running the league.
Breaking Down the Numbers: LeBron’s Insane Career Stats With this latest milestone, LeBron James further extends his reign as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer—not just in the regular season, but in the playoffs as well.
- Regular-season points: 41,871
- Playoff points: 8,162
- Total: 50,033 (and counting!)
For context, that’s more points than Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s regular-season totals combined. Let that sink in.
The King at 40: Still Playing Like an MVP If you think age is slowing down LeBron James, think again.
Since turning 40, LeBron has been putting up video game numbers—averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists on 54.1% shooting (42.3% from three!).
For those keeping track, those stats are eerily close to his 2012-13 MVP season with the Miami Heat, when he posted 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists on 56.5% shooting.
Let’s be real—no one in NBA history has ever performed like this at 40 years old.
The League’s Snub: Why Aren’t ALL LeBron’s Points Counted? As if the GOAT debate wasn’t already tilted in LeBron’s favor, here’s a wild fact: some of his points aren’t even counted.
Lakers coach JJ Redick pointed out a controversial flaw in the NBA’s record-keeping system.
- LeBron has scored 75 points in three Play-In Tournament games (2021, 2023, 2024). None of these count towards his playoff totals.
- He also scored 24 points in the 2023 In-Season Tournament championship game. That’s not included in his regular-season total either.
Redick didn’t hold back, saying, “I have a strong feeling towards the Play-In Tournament. Those one-game scenarios are playoff games. Those games should count, for sure, in the playoffs.”
If those points were counted, LeBron would have reached the 50K milestone even earlier. And yet, the NBA continues to move the goalposts.
Legacy Cemented: Where Does LeBron Go From Here? With four championships, four MVPs, the all-time scoring crown, and now 50,000 total points, the debate rages on—Is LeBron James the undisputed GOAT?
One thing’s for sure: Whether you love him or love to hate him, LeBron James is still changing the game. And at 40, he’s showing no signs of stopping.
