LeBron James made history yet again, surpassing a monumental milestone as the first player in NBA history to achieve a staggering 39,000 career points.
During the Los Angeles Lakers’ dominant 131-99 victory over the Utah Jazz, James reached this unprecedented milestone with a 3-pointer in the first quarter. Finishing the game with 17 points in 24 minutes, he marked an unbeaten run through the NBA In-Season Tournament’s Group Play.
Despite this remarkable feat, James remained humble, acknowledging the significance while admitting he hadn’t fully processed the moment’s gravity. Reflecting on the accomplishment, he expressed gratitude for being able to achieve something unprecedented in a league graced by countless legendary players.
In his ongoing 21st season, James continues to exhibit elite performance, averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists. At his consistent pace and assuming good health, he’s poised to reach the 40,000-point mark later this season.
Among NBA legends, only seven players have surpassed the 30,000-point threshold, with five—James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain—sharing a connection to the Lakers.
While James extends his legacy, Phoenix Suns’ star Kevin Durant is the closest active player to join the exclusive 30,000-point club. Durant recently climbed to No. 11 on the all-time scoring list and boasts 27,331 career points, needing 2,669 more to achieve this significant milestone. Following Durant, LA Clippers’ guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook are also contenders, both within striking distance of the coveted 30,000-point mark.