LeBron James Becomes First NBA Player to Reach 50,000 Points

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LeBron James has officially made history, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 50,000 career points. This milestone came on March 4, 2025, during the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

James entered the game needing just one point to reach the remarkable achievement. In the first quarter, he hit a 25-foot three-pointer, surpassing the 50,000-point mark and sending the crowd at Crypto.com Arena into a frenzy.

James finished the game with 34 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, helping the Lakers secure a 136-115 victory. This new record adds to an already legendary career, one that includes surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing regular-season scoring record in 2023.

As of now, James is almost 6,000 points ahead of Abdul-Jabbar’s career total of 44,149. Karl Malone (41,689 points) and Kobe Bryant (39,283 points) follow behind in the rankings, while Michael Jordan is in fifth place with 38,279 points. Among current players, Kevin Durant, with just over 35,000 points, is the closest to James’ all-time total.

What makes James’ achievement even more significant is that his 50,000 points include both regular-season and playoff totals. This further cements his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The milestone has been widely praised, with many NBA figures, including Lakers legend Magic Johnson, offering their congratulations.

At 40 years old, James continues to perform at an incredibly high level. Just days before reaching the 50,000-point mark, he was named the Western Conference Player of the Month for February 2025, having led the Lakers to a 10-2 record that month. James’ continued excellence on the court shows that, despite his age, he remains a dominant force in the NBA. This milestone is just the latest chapter in his ongoing legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.