On Saturday, LeBron James became the first NBA player to exceed 40,000 career regular season points.
On Saturday, LeBron James became the first NBA player to exceed 40,000 career regular-season points after scoring nine points against defending champion Denver. James, who surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the NBA’s all-time scoring record little over a year ago, is a four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, as well as the league’s oldest active player, now in his 21st season. “It’s a huge, huge testament to all of his hard work over the years, how well he has taken care of himself, and the way he has played at a high level,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of James prior of the game.
“It’s a hell of an accomplishment.”
James reached the milestone within two possessions of the second quarter after scoring five points in the first quarter. However, he missed a free throw and a 3-point attempt on the subsequent Laker possession.
James made history by driving in a layup from the left side of the hoop with 10:39 left in the second quarter.
After James made the basket, the audience applauded him standing up. The ball that James used to score the game-winning basket was taken out of play.
With a fast break layup at 6:20 in the first quarter, James scored his first basket of the game to give the Lakers an 18-12 lead. Sixty-three seconds later, he added a 3-pointer from the left corner to make the score 23-14.
James stated that while achieving the 40,000-point barrier won’t rank among his best achievements, it is still significant.
“No one has completed it. And at this stage of my career, I think it’s quite fantastic to be in this situation,” James remarked.
Is it among the best things I’ve ever done professionally? Nope. Does that have any significance? Obviously. How come it wouldn’t?
“It means something to me to achieve successes and mark significant moments in my work. Indeed.
Of course, there is a hierarchy of sorts, but to say otherwise would be to lie to you. It’s just a matter of opinion. It really does.”
The Nuggets are 41-19 and third in the West, just one game behind pace-setter Minnesota, while the Lakers, 33-28, are in 10th place in the Western Conference and the final play-in berth.
In other games, Jimmy Butler scored 37 points to lead the Miami Heat over visiting Utah 126-120, while Mikal Bridges scored 38 points to lead host Brooklyn over Atlanta 114-102.
