The King Reigns Supreme: LeBron James Reaches 50K Career Points In NBA History

Tuesday night was one for the history books as LeBron James did what no player before him has ever done—reach 50,000 combined points in the regular season and playoffs. At 40 years old, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar continues to defy time, proving he’s still got plenty left in the tank.

James entered the game against the New Orleans Pelicans needing just one point to hit the milestone. It didn’t take long. Less than four minutes into the first quarter, he drained a three-pointer from the left wing off a perfect pass from Luka Doncic. The Lakers took a 13-6 lead, but the real story was LeBron’s latest achievement.

The crowd at Crypto.com Arena erupted as they realized what had just happened. During a timeout, Lakers’ longtime public address announcer Lawrence Tanter made it official: “Ladies and gentlemen, we all have just witnessed history.”

A Standing Ovation for a Living Legend

The fans, many of whom have watched LeBron dominate for more than two decades, stood on their feet, cheering and celebrating the moment. James, never one to bask too long in the spotlight, gave a simple wave to acknowledge the love from the crowd before refocusing on the game.

Before Tuesday’s game, James had already cemented himself as the all-time leading scorer across both the regular season and playoffs, with 41,837 regular-season points and 8,162 playoff points. The new 50,000-point milestone is just another testament to his greatness.

Still Dominating at 40

If anyone thought James would slow down at 40, they were mistaken. Over the past 27 games since hitting the big 4-0, he has been putting up jaw-dropping numbers: 26.1 points per game on 54.1% shooting, including a scorching 42.3% from three. Add in 8.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game, and it’s clear he’s still playing at an elite level.

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In fact, LeBron himself recently pointed out on Instagram that his current stats are strikingly similar to his numbers from his MVP-winning 2012-13 season with the Miami Heat. That year, he averaged 26.8 points, 56.5% shooting, 40.6% from deep, 8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. More than a decade later, and he’s still performing at an MVP level.

Source: LeBron James first with 50K points in NBA regular season, playoffs

Western Conference Player of the Month—Again

As if breaking records wasn’t enough, James was also named Western Conference Player of the Month for February. His numbers? A ridiculous 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game while leading the Lakers to a 10-2 record.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick had nothing but praise for his superstar. “We wouldn’t be in the position we’re in without him playing at the level he’s been playing at,” Redick said before the game. “And that’s offensively and defensively.”

The King Reigns Supreme: LeBron James Reaches 50K Career Points in NBA History

Should Some of LeBron’s Points Count

While everyone is celebrating the 50,000 milestone, there’s an ongoing debate about whether James’ total should be even higher. Over the past few years, the NBA has introduced new events like the play-in tournament and the in-season tournament, but points scored in those games don’t count toward career totals.

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James has scored 75 points in three play-in games (2021, 2023, and 2024), but those aren’t included in his official playoff total. He also scored 24 points in the 2023 in-season tournament final, but those aren’t counted in his regular-season stats either.

Redick thinks that should change. “I have a strong feeling towards the play-in tournament, that those little one-game scenarios are playoff games,” he said. “I think those games should count, for sure, in the playoffs.”

Whether or not the league adjusts its record books, one thing is clear: James’ impact on the game is unmatched.

What’s Next for LeBron

Reaching 50,000 points is just another milestone in a career full of them. But LeBron isn’t done. The Lakers are in the middle of a heated playoff race, and as long as James is on the court, they have a shot.

Looking beyond this season, one of the biggest questions is whether he will play alongside his son, Bronny James, who is eligible for the 2025 NBA Draft. If that happens, it would be yet another historic moment—something only LeBron seems capable of making routine.

Regardless of what comes next, one thing is certain: LeBron James isn’t just breaking records—he’s redefining what’s possible in the NBA. And with 50,000 points and counting, the King’s reign is far from over.