LeBron James makes NBA history as the first player to reach 50,000 career points

LeBron James Becomes the First Player in NBA History to Score 50,000 Career Points

LeBron James has rewritten NBA history yet again. Already the league’s all-time leading scorer, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar reached an unprecedented milestone on Tuesday night, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 50,000 career points, combining both regular season and playoff totals.

James achieved this remarkable feat during the Lakers’ dominant 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena. After falling just one point short of the milestone in Sunday’s win against the Clippers, James wasted no time sealing the record this time around. Midway through the first quarter, he drilled a three-pointer from the wing, officially cementing his place in basketball immortality.

LeBron James’ Record-Breaking Scoring Journey

LeBron James has been redefining basketball’s scoring records for years. In 2017, he surpassed Michael Jordan’s all-time postseason scoring record, solidifying his reputation as one of the most dominant playoff performers ever. Then, in 2023, he overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s legendary career scoring record of 38,387 points, making him the all-time leader in NBA history. Now, with over 8,100 playoff points, James has established yet another record that may stand for generations.

To put this milestone into perspective:

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finished his career with 44,149 total points, making LeBron the clear leader in all-time combined scoring.
He is one of only three players in NBA history to reach 40,000 career points—a club that includes Karl Malone and Abdul-Jabbar.
Kevin Durant is the only active player in the top 10 of the all-time scoring list, but he currently sits at just over 35,000 combined points, making it unlikely he will challenge LeBron’s record.

LeBron James’ Unstoppable Scoring at 39

Even as he nears two decades in the league, LeBron James continues to dominate the game like few before him. Now in his 22nd NBA season, he is still producing elite numbers, entering Tuesday’s game averaging:
24.8 points per game
8.6 assists per game
8.0 rebounds per game
52% shooting from the field

Incredibly, since turning 40 years old on December 30, James has recorded multiple 40-point games. Only Michael Jordan had previously scored 40+ points in a game after turning 40, but James has already done it more than once—further proving his longevity and continued dominance.

On his record-setting night, James finished with:
34 points
8 rebounds
6 assists

He accomplished all this in just 32 minutes of play, leading the Lakers to their 39th win of the season.

Luka Dončić Assists LeBron James’ Historic Shot, Makes History Himself

James’ milestone three-pointer came off an assist from fellow superstar Luka Dončić, who had an incredible night himself. Dončić recorded 30 points and 15 assists, becoming just the fourth player in Lakers history to hit that stat line. The only other Lakers to achieve that feat? LeBron James, Magic Johnson, and Jerry West—an elite company to be in.

Additionally, Jaxson Hayes delivered a perfect 8-for-8 shooting performance, finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds to contribute to the Lakers’ blowout win.

What’s Next for LeBron James?

With yet another historic milestone under his belt, the question remains: How much longer can LeBron James keep dominating? The four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP, and 20-time All-Star has shown no signs of slowing down.

Despite entering what many would consider the twilight of his career, James continues to evolve his game, proving he is still one of the most impactful players in the league. While his retirement timeline remains uncertain, one thing is clear—his scoring record could stand for generations, with no active player close to challenging his legendary total.

As the Los Angeles Lakers aim for another deep playoff run, fans and analysts alike can only wonder: What record will LeBron James break next?