The 40-year old veteran in LeBron James is on pace of reaching 50,000 career points in regular season and playoffs combined with just needing 18 more points. No player in NBA history has scored more points than LeBron James.
Not in the NBA Playoffs – LeBron broke Michael Jordan’s all-time playoff scoring record on May 25, 2017 after the mark stood for 19 years.
Not in the regular season – LeBron broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record on 2 years ago on Feb. 7, 2023 after the mark stood for 39 years.
Already the all-time leader in total points scored in the regular season and playoffs combined with 49,982, LeBron enters tonight’s game between the Lakers and Clippers only needing 18 points to become the first player ever in NBA history to reach 50,000 career points scored.
Playing at an All-Star level in year 22, ranked 13th in scoring, and 5th in assists, LeBron continues to defy Father Time and continues to push the records he’s already set even higher for future generations to chase.
LeBron ranks first in total field goals made (18,282), second in total free throws made (10,414) behind only Karl Malone, and fifth in total 3-pointers made behind Steph Curry, James Harden, Ray Allen and Klay Thompson.
Two words that will forever be linked to LeBron’s legacy: consistency and longevity. Those two words are key to his journey to the unprecedented 50,000 total points milestone.
- Consistency: While averaging 24.9 points per game, LeBron is 0.1 point per game away from marking his 21st consecutive season averaging at least 25 points. Kevin Durant whom is on pace for 17 a game, is the only other player in NBA history with more than 12 such seasons.
- Longevity: 11 players have played two decades in the NBA, seven have played 21 seasons and only two LeBron and Vince Carter have played 22 seasons.
When it is all said and done, LeBron will go down as one of the greatest players within NBA history and will be considered if not already as the greatest of all time.