LeBron James Reaches 50,000 Career Points Milestone in Lakers' Win Over Pelicans
LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, added another remarkable achievement to his storied career on Tuesday as his Los Angeles Lakers secured a dominant 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The future Hall of Famer became the first player in NBA history to score 50,000 career points when he hit a three-pointer in the first quarter, achieving the milestone in front of an enthusiastic home crowd at Crypto.com Arena.
Entering the game with 41,837 points in the regular season (first all-time) and 8,162 points in the playoffs (also first all-time), James needed just one point to reach the historic 50,000 mark. After scoring 34 points in the game, he finished with a career total of 50,033 points.
“I’m not going to sit here and sugarcoat it – it’s a hell of a lot of points,” James said after the game during an interview with Spectrum SportsNet. “And I’m super blessed to be able to put that many points up in the best league in the world with the best players in the world over my career, so it’s pretty special.”
James’ achievement places him in a league of his own, as no other player in NBA history is within 5,000 points of the 50,000 mark. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a Hall of Fame center, sits in second place with a combined total of 44,149 points.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is currently the closest active player to James, with 35,225 combined points, following the Suns’ 119-117 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
Despite being in his 22nd season, James continues to play at an elite level, averaging nearly 25 points, eight rebounds, and over eight assists per game for the Lakers. His performance has been pivotal in his team’s recent success, as they have won 17 of their last 20 games, including a seven-game winning streak, their longest since 2021.
Earlier on Tuesday, James was named Western Conference Player of the Month for February, marking the 41st time he has earned the honor. He became the oldest player to win the award, having averaged 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists during the month.
James’ career continues to defy the odds as he approaches its later stages. After surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s regular season scoring record in 2023, James continues to widen his lead, becoming the first player to surpass 40,000 career points later that same season. This milestone, alongside his historic first father-son NBA game with Bronny James earlier this season, further cements his legacy as one of the greatest players in basketball history.
As a four-time NBA champion, four-time Finals MVP, and holder of a record 21 All-Star appearances, James has built an unmatched resume since being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
The Lakers, fueled by James’ exceptional play and the February acquisition of superstar Luka Dončić, are on a scorching run, climbing to the second seed in the Western Conference after their victory over the Pelicans.
