LeBron James is changing the game of basketball, especially when it comes to longevity. Recently, he became the first player ever to score a total of 50,000 points in both NBA regular season and playoff games. He hit this milestone with a three-pointer early in the first quarter during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
In that game, James scored 34 points, adding yet another achievement to his remarkable career. “That’s a lot of points,” he reflected after the game, crediting his early love for basketball and the path it led him on. “It’s definitely an honor. It’s pretty cool to see that.”
James was already the all-time leading scorer in NBA history, both in regular season and playoffs. Now, in his 22nd season, he shows no signs of slowing down. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar previously held the combined points record with 44,149, but James is well ahead as he marches on.
Interestingly, James reached this milestone with help from Luka Dončić, who assisted his three-pointer. Their recent collaboration, following a trade that brought Dončić to the Lakers, has reinvigorated the team. With a current seven-game winning streak, the Lakers are looking strong, winning 17 of their last 20 games.
Dončić was in awe of James’ achievements. “It’s amazing to watch him do this at this age,” he said. “Fifty thousand points? I can’t even explain how insane that is. He might get to 70K. You never know.”
The Lakers celebrated James’ achievement during the game, prompting the crowd to give him a standing ovation. James waved at the fans, soaking in the moment.
Remarkably, James has also matched Vince Carter for the most seasons played in the NBA. Yet, even in his 40s, his skill remains sharp. His recent performance earned him the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Month, averaging 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists while playing significant minutes.
Currently, he has played in 1,548 regular-season games, just behind legends Robert Parish and Abdul-Jabbar. If he returns for a 23rd season, he’s likely to pass Parish’s record next year.
In addition to his regular-season success, James holds the record for the most playoff games played at 287. He became the all-time leading scorer in the postseason back in 2017 by surpassing Michael Jordan’s record. Then, in February 2023, he became the highest regular-season scorer by breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record.
After the game, James emphasized the importance of staying passionate about basketball. “Falling in love with the process is the hardest thing,” he noted. With an 82-game season and the challenges that come with age and family life, maintaining that passion is key.
His scoring consistency is remarkable. James has scored at least 10 points in 1,278 consecutive games since January 2007, the longest streak in NBA history. Furthermore, his recent Player of the Month award brings his total to 41, solidifying yet another record while also marking him as the oldest player to achieve this honor.