LeBron James Makes History as the First NBA Player to Score 50,000 Combined Points
Hey there, basketball fans! Gather around because we have some monumental news coming out of Los Angeles. The legendary LeBron James has once again etched his name into the annals of NBA history. On a night that will be remembered for years to come, the 40-year-old superstar became the first player in the league to reach the staggering milestone of 50,000 combined points in regular season and postseason play. Yes, you read that right—50,000 points!
LeBron entered the game against the New Orleans Pelicans needing just a single point to hit this incredible mark. And in true LeBron fashion, he wasted no time. On his very first shot of the game, he nailed a 3-pointer from the left wing, courtesy of an assist from Luka Doncic, putting the Lakers up 13-6 with 8:34 remaining in the first quarter. Talk about making a statement!
As the ball swished through the net, the crowd erupted, and Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter seized the moment to inform everyone in attendance, “Ladies and gentlemen, we all have just witnessed history.” Indeed, it was a moment that transcended the game itself, a testament to LeBron’s enduring greatness and his relentless pursuit of excellence.
For those keeping track, LeBron is the league’s all-time leader in both regular season and playoff points, with 41,837 points in the regular season entering Tuesday, and 8,162 in the playoffs. These numbers are not just statistics; they are a testament to his longevity, skill, and determination.
Since turning 40, LeBron has been defying Father Time with his remarkable performances. In 27 games, he’s averaging 26.1 points on 54.1% shooting (42.3% from 3), 8.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists. These numbers are eerily similar to his last MVP season in 2012-13 with the Miami Heat, where he averaged 26.8 points on 56.5% shooting (40.6% from 3), 8.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. It’s as if time has stood still for the King.
Adding to his accolades, LeBron was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for February, averaging 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists, leading the Lakers to a 10-2 record. Lakers coach JJ Redick couldn’t help but praise his star player, saying, “We wouldn’t be in the position we’re in without him playing at the level he’s been playing at. And that’s offensively and defensively.”
However, Redick also pointed out a curious oversight in the record books. In recent years, LeBron has scored 75 points in three play-in tournament games (2021, 2023, 2024) and 24 points in the 2023 in-season tournament championship game. Yet, these points have not been added to his career totals. Redick expressed his thoughts, saying, “I have a strong feeling towards the play-in tournament, that those little one-game scenarios are playoff games.”
- LeBron James: First NBA player to score 50,000 combined points.
- 41,837 regular season points and 8,162 playoff points.
- Averaging 26.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists since turning 40.
- Western Conference Player of the Month for February.
- 75 points in play-in tournaments and 24 points in in-season tournament not counted in career totals.
As we celebrate this historic achievement, it’s clear that LeBron James continues to redefine what it means to be a basketball legend. His journey is far from over, and we can’t wait to see what he accomplishes next. Stay tuned, folks, because the King is still ruling the court!
Originally Written by: Dave McMenamin
