LeBron James Hits NBA Record 40,000 Career Points Milestone
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If anyone plans to take LeBron James’ all-time scoring leader throne in the NBA, the challenge just got a little harder, as the 39-year-old hooper reached the 40,000-point milestone this weekend.
The Los Angeles Lakers took on the Denver Nuggets on Saturday evening (Mar. 2) in a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, which the Nuggets won via sweep. King James walked into the game just nine points shy of 40,000 and set the new record with a layup early in the second quarter.
The Lakers took the loss to the Nuggets 124-114 after holding the lead at halftime and being tied after the third quarter. The four-time NBA Champion finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
“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,” James said of the achievement after the game. “And some things I was doing 20 years ago, which is weird to say.”
Heading into the game, the superstar forward acknowledged that what he was preparing to do was unprecedented. “No one has ever done it and for me to be in this position at this point and time in my career, I think it’s pretty cool,” he said. He was honest about the fact that being the league’s all-time leading scorer isn’t the accomplishment he holds the most dear, but it was special to him.
“Does it sit at the top of the things I’ve done in my career? No,” James said. “But does it mean something? Of course. Absolutely. Why wouldn’t it? […] Obviously, there’s a pecking order of which [accomplishments] are higher than others, but I would be lying to you if I said it doesn’t mean anything. Because it absolutely does.”
LeBron James became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38-year record, in February 2023. Upon passing Kareem, officials stopped the Lakers’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder so a tribute video to James could be played for all present at Crpyto.com Arena.
“I write ‘The Man In The Arena’ on my shoe every single night from Theodore Roosevelt,” James said during his speech. “Tonight, I actually felt like I was sitting on top of the arena when that shot went in, and the roar from the crowd. I’m not sure if I would be able to feel that feeling again, unless it’s a game-winning Finals shot.”
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