Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to score 40,000 career points. He reached the milestone on Saturday in the team's 124-114 home loss to the Denver Nuggets.
The NBA's all-time leading scorer scored the historic basket on a left-handed layup with 10:41 left in the second quarter, drawing loud cheers from fans at Crypto.com Arena.
Both teams continued playing after the historic basket until the Lakers called a timeout over a minute later, leading to a standing ovation from the crowd for James and high-fives from his teammates as he made his way to the bench. The Lakers played a video tribute to James during the timeout to mark the milestone.
The 39-year-old is breaking new ground since surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 38,387 points last season to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
“No one has ever done it. And for me to be in this position at this point in my career, I think it's pretty cool,” James said Thursday after the team's win over the Washington Wizards. “Is it one of the best things I’ve done in my career? No. Does it mean something? Of course, absolutely. Why shouldn't it?
“Obviously I never think about a milestone when I'm out there fighting, but when it happens, of course we acknowledge it,” James said upon reaching the milestone. “Being the first player to do something is pretty cool in this league because you just know the history, you know the greats that have come through the league and then you see some of the greats on the floor tonight.” It was just great to take part in this competition.
“But for me the most important thing is always the most important thing and that is winning and I hate that, that had to happen in a loss, especially against a team that plays extremely good basketball and we played good basketball tonight, were able to but it doesn’t.” to close it. Bittersweet, but I enjoyed every moment on the floor tonight.”
James finished the game with 26 points (40,017 total points) and nine assists while extending his NBA record double-digit scoring streak to 1,205 games, dating back to January 2007.
Lakers center Anthony Davis was asked if any player would ever surpass James' scoring record and replied that he didn't think so.
“It's just difficult because he hasn't finished playing yet, so it's just getting bigger and the gap is getting bigger and bigger,” Davis said. “Every time he plays like it’s a new milestone every time.”
“He's reached eight Finals in a row, which helps you play longer and longer in the postseason, and you'll continue to score, and then he's the first option on your teams… Right now I don't see anyone breaking his record .”
“I’m just happy for him. It was an incredible performance,” Lakers head coach Darvin Ham said after the game. “I wish we could have achieved victory as the crowning glory. That didn’t happen, but you know I take my hat off to him.”
The Lakers have a 33-29 record this season and sit 10th in the Western Conference standings.
James is in his 21st season and is averaging 25.3 points, 7.9 assists and 7.1 rebounds per game this season. He became the first player in league history to be named to 20 NBA All-Star teams. Earlier this season, James helped lead the Lakers to their first NBA in-season tournament championship title while also earning tournament MVP honors.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
LeBron James performs his chalk throwing ritual before a game in 2008. Basketball players use chalk to help them grip the ball better.
By Lebron James/Instagram
James was born on December 30, 1984 in Akron, Ohio. He was 6 months old, he said in this photo he posted on Instagram for his 35th birthday.
By Lebron James/Instagram
A young James plays on a toy basketball hoop at Christmas time. “I think I was kind of born for this,” he said on Instagram.
Phil Marutscho/Akron Beacon Journal/Tribune News Service/Getty Images
James (left) poses with some of his teammates at St. Vincent-St. He attended Mary High School during his freshman year.
Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
James throws down a dunk during a game in Trenton, New Jersey, in February 2003. James was just a junior in high school when he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as “The Chosen One.” He was such a star that ESPN broadcast some of his high school games.
David Liam Kyle/NBAE/Getty Images
James shakes hands with NBA star Michael Jordan after Jordan played a game in Cleveland in April 2003. James chose number 23 because of Jordan.
Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images
As expected, James went straight from high school to the NBA as the No. 1 overall pick in the league's draft. He was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, a long-suffering franchise near his hometown of Akron.
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
James makes a layup in his NBA debut on October 29, 2003. He scored 25 points in a loss at Sacramento. In his first season in the NBA, James won the league's Rookie of the Year award.
John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
James played on the US Basketball Olympic team in August 2004, but it ended with a disappointing bronze medal. He would come back.
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
James (center) grabs a rebound with Tim Duncan at the 2006 NBA All-Star Game. He was named the game's Most Valuable Player – the youngest ever to win the award.
David Liam Kyle/NBAE/Getty Images
James sits with his young son Bronny and teammate Drew Gooden during a game in Cleveland in March 2007.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
James misses a potential game-winning 3-pointer in Game 3 of the 2007 NBA Finals. James' Cavaliers were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs.
Christopher Polk/FilmMagic/Getty Images
James hosts the ESPY Awards in July 2007. This alluded to his nickname “King James”.
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
James appears on stage with rapper Jay-Z during a Cleveland concert for presidential candidate Barack Obama in October 2008.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
James, seen here between Dwyane Wade and head coach Mike Krzyzewski, returned to the Olympics in August 2008 as part of the “Redeem Team” and won gold.
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
James celebrates after scoring a game-winning shot to win a playoff game against Orlando in May 2009.
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
James won his first league MVP award in May 2009. He would also win the award in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
James gets a kiss from his mother after a playoff game in May 2010.
Larry Busacca/Getty Images
In July 2010, James speaks with ESPN's Jim Gray at the Boys & Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. There, he announced live on ESPN's “The Decision” that he was leaving Cleveland to play for the Miami Heat. “I’m going to take my talents to South Beach,” said James, who was a free agent. The show raised millions of dollars for the Boys & Girls Club, but James' decision to leave Cleveland – and announce it live on national television – was criticized by many.
Doug Benc/Getty Images
James greets Miami fans during a pep rally at American Airlines Arena in July 2010. He was joined by Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, the other two stars on the Heat's “Big 3” superteam. During the event, James bragged about how many titles they would win together.
Morry Gash/AP
Wade reacts as James dunks the ball during a game in Milwaukee in December 2010. They reached the NBA Finals in their first season together, but lost to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks.
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
James reads in the locker room before an NBA Finals game in June 2012. The Heat were back in the Finals, this time against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
James dunks on Serge Ibaka in Game 2 of the Finals in June 2012. The Heat won five games and gave James his first NBA title.
David Alvarez/NBAE/Getty Images
James celebrates with his teammates after the Heat won the 2012 NBA Finals. James holds the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy (right) and the Bill Russell Finals MVP Award.
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
James was part of the 2012 Olympic team that successfully defended its gold medal in London.
Ned Dishman/NBAE/Getty Images
James describes his excitement when the Heat visited the White House in January 2013: “We're at the White House right now, it's like, 'Mom, I did it.'
Issac Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images
James and the Heat defended their title in the 2013 NBA Finals, defeating San Antonio in seven games. James was Finals MVP again.
Christopher Polk/Getty Images
James and Savannah Brinson attend the 2013 ESPY Awards in July 2013. The two married in September of the same year. They have three children together: Bronny, Bryce and Zhuri.
Jason Miller/Getty Images
James appears in a Nike poster outside Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland in October 2014, a few months after he announced he would return to the Cavaliers as a free agent.
Gregory Shamus/NBAE/Getty Images
James poses with his new Big 3 in Cleveland: Kevin Love (left) and Kyrie Irving.
Universal/Everett Collection
James appears as himself in the 2015 comedy “Trainwreck,” starring Bill Hader (right) and Amy Schumer.
David Liam Kyle/NBAE/Getty Images
James, seen here in March 2015, was determined to bring Cleveland its first championship in franchise history. “I’m ready to take on the challenge,” he said as he revealed his plans to return to the Cavaliers. “I'm coming home.” The Cavs reached the NBA Finals in his first season, but fell to the Golden State Warriors.
Garrett Ellwood/NBAE/Getty Images
James overpowers Golden State's Andre Iguodala on a play in the 2016 NBA Finals that became known simply as “The Block.” The defensive play late in Game 7 helped the Cavaliers move past the Warriors in a rematch from the previous year.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
An emotional James hugs Love after Cleveland beat Golden State to win the 2016 title.
Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
James tries to guide teammate JR Smith on a last-second play in the 2018 NBA Finals. The Cavaliers and Warriors played in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018. The Warriors won three of the four.
Allison Farrand/NBAE/Getty Images
James speaks to a crowd at the opening of his I Promise school in Akron in July 2018. James' foundation partnered with the Akron Public Schools system to open a school to support at-risk children.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
James signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2018. Here he drives to the basket during a home game against Washington in November 2019.
Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images
James and the Lakers won a title together in 2020 when the entire playoffs were held in Florida due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was James' fourth NBA title.
Warner Bros./Everett Collection
James will appear with Tweety Bird in the 2021 film Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Jeffery A. Salter/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
James poses with his two sons – Bronny (left) and Bryce – at his former high school in Akron in July 2022. Bronny was one of the best high school players in the country, and his father said he wanted to finish his career playing with him in the NBA.
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
James breaks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points on February 7, 2023 in a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Mark J. Terrill/AP
James scores his 40,000th career point during a game against the Denver Nuggets on March 2, 2024. He is the first player in NBA history to reach this milestone.