Lakers’ LeBron James Makes NBA History as First to Reach 50K Points
March 5, 2025
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Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward LeBron James has become the first player to reach 50,000 points in the regular season and playoffs combined.
James did so on Tuesday night in front of the home crowd against the lowly New Orleans Pelicans.
Here’s how James did it.
The 40-year-old has had an illustrious 22-year career on the basketball court, including this season. He has defied all the odds thus far and is making a case as the greatest basketball player of all time.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on March 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers superstar becomes the first player to reach 50K… LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in action against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on March 02, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers superstar becomes the first player to reach 50K points, regular season and playoffs combined.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
James entered the game only one point shy of 50K points. He needed 18 points on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, but only got up to 17 points in their 108-102 win over their cross-town rivals.
James shot 6-of-17 from the floor in that game with his last bucket coming at the seven minute mark in the fourth quarter.
The 21-time NBA All-Star became the all-time leading scorer in the NBA two years ago when he broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record after the mark stood for 39 years.
In the playoffs, James broke Michael Jordan’s all-time playoff scoring record on May 25, 2017, after the mark had stood for 19 years.
James is approaching 42K points in the regular season and is over 8K points in the playoffs. With much time left in the regular season and the playoffs a likelihood for the Lakers, he is not close to being done climbing this mountain.
The Lakers superstar is arguably playing some of the best basketball of his career. He was just awarded the Western Conference Player of the Month. In 12 games in the month of February, he averaged 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists on 55.5 percent shooting and 44.3 percent from 3-point range.
During the month of February, he also became the first player in league history to have multiple 40+ point games at age 40 or higher. Michael Jordan is the only other 40-year-old with a 40+ point game with a record 43-point performance on Feb. 21, 2003.
James has been incredible in the season, averaging 24.8 points per game, 8.0 rebounds, 8.6 assists, and 0.9 steals while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from three.
James is in the 22nd season of his career, and yet he finds new ways to evolve his game. There is nothing the former No. 1 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft hasn’t done.
He is a four-time NBA champion, four-time NBA MVP, a 20-time All-NBA team member, and a member of the 7th Anniversary Team.
More news: Mavericks Star Anthony Davis Could Now Miss Rest of Season Following Kyrie Irving Injury
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LeBron James Slams ‘Face of NBA’ Drama, ‘It Ain’t About One Person’
For more NBA news and rumors, make sure to head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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