LeBron James has once again cemented his legacy in basketball history, becoming the first NBA player to surpass 50,000 career points, further extending his record as the league’s all-time leading scorer.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar hit the milestone on Tuesday during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans, reaching the historic mark with a deep three-pointer that sent the Crypto.com Arena crowd into a frenzy.
LeBron James’ Record-Breaking Career
James entered the game needing just one point to reach 50,000, following a 17-point performance against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. It didn’t take long for the 40-year-old icon to deliver—receiving a pass from Luka Dončić before sinking a stunning 25-foot three-pointer, pushing his tally to 50,002 points.
The four-time NBA champion and multiple-time MVP had already broken Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing regular-season scoring record of 38,387 points in 2023—a record that had remained unchallenged for nearly four decades.
NBA All-Time Scoring Leaders
With this latest feat, James is now almost 6,000 points ahead of Abdul-Jabbar’s total of 44,149 career points. The top five all-time leading scorers in NBA history now stand as follows:
- LeBron James – 50,002+ points
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 44,149 points
- Karl Malone – 41,689 points
- Kobe Bryant – 39,283 points
- Michael Jordan – 38,279 points
Among active players, only Kevin Durant remains within striking distance, with just over 35,000 points—still roughly 15,000 points behind James.
A Legacy That May Never Be Matched
Now in his 22nd NBA season, LeBron James continues to dominate at an elite level, proving that age is just a number. With his unmatched longevity, skill, and relentless work ethic, the Lakers’ star has set a record that may stand the test of time.
