LeBron James extended his all-time scoring record on Saturday by becoming the first NBA player to reach 40,000 regular-season points.
The Los Angeles Lakers star passed the total with a driving left hand layup early in the second quarter, leading to a standing ovation from the Crypto.com Arena crowd. There was no stoppage in play, but it was acknowledged during the ensuing timeout with a video tribute and another ovation.
40,000. pic.twitter.com/YlWX00aea1
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 3, 2024
The Lakers video tribute to LeBron James that played after he was presented the game ball during a timeout after becoming the first player in league history to reach 40,000 points. pic.twitter.com/DLZygRusAY
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 3, 2024
He entered the matchup against the Denver Nuggets nine points away from 40,000. The milestone comes just a year after he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career points in NBA history.
Counting both playoff and regular-season points, James already eclipsed 40,000 points — he had 48,014 entering Saturday. However, he’s the first to ever accomplish the feat in the regular season alone.
Here’s how the sports world reacted to James passing 40,000 points.
LeBron James: Founding member of the 40K points club 👑 pic.twitter.com/Cm3Mf3Qjhs
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 3, 2024
Numbers don’t lie.
Yet again, @kingjames has rewritten the equation for greatness: 40k points, 10k assists, 10k rebounds. Truly one of one. #WeAreAllWitnesses pic.twitter.com/GuucylJI27
— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) March 3, 2024
A tier of his own 👏
40,000 for @kingjames 👑 pic.twitter.com/hdpWyKzmlQ
— NBA 2K (@NBA2K) March 3, 2024
Congratulations to LeBron James for being the first and only player in NBA history to score 40,000 points! I’m so glad I was here to witness such an incredible feat! @KingJames pic.twitter.com/IdfjsrSLKJ
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 3, 2024
40k!!!! Man he’s something else 🙌🏾
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) March 3, 2024
Congrats @KingJames
Top of the top https://t.co/366ieBA5Ij— Metta World Peace (@MettaWorld37) March 3, 2024
I did my part helping LeBron get to 40,000 points 😂 pic.twitter.com/GRt9die24R
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) March 3, 2024