NBA news: LeBron James makes history with 50,000 career points
LeBron James has made NBA history as the first player to reach 50,000 career points.
Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo covers the milestone, emphasising its significance in cementing James' legendary status.
A milestone like no other
LeBron James has cemented his place in NBA history by becoming the first player to score a combined total of 50,000 points across the regular season and playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar achieved this unprecedented milestone during a dominant 136-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Crypto.com Arena.
The 40-year-old forward entered the game just one point shy of the historic mark and wasted no time reaching it.
Early in the first quarter, James received a pass from Luka Doncic and drained a deep 25-foot three-pointer, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Extending his lead as the NBA’s all-time scorer
Already the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James continues to widen the gap between himself and past legends.
His career tally now stands at 50,033 points, with 41,871 coming from regular season play and 8,162 from postseason action.
That puts him nearly 6,000 points ahead of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who previously held the record with 44,149 career points.
Other greats like Karl Malone (41,689), Kobe Bryant (39,283), and Michael Jordan (38,279) trail even further behind.
Among active players, only Kevin Durant is within reach, but at just over 35,000 career points, he remains far from catching the Lakers’ star.
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Sustained greatness in his 22nd season
Now in his 22nd NBA season, a feat only matched by Vince Carter, James continues to defy expectations.
His ability to perform at an elite level for such an extended period has fuelled discussions about his place in the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate.
ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst pointed out that while some may still favour Michael Jordan for his peak dominance, LeBron’s longevity and consistency make a compelling case for his greatness.
“We’ve never seen a player maintain this level of excellence for this long,” Windhorst said. “That’s his claim to the throne.”
The Luka Doncic factor
James' latest surge in form has coincided with the Lakers’ acquisition of Luka Doncic.
Since Doncic joined the team on February 1, James has been playing some of his best basketball.
Over the past 13 games, he has averaged 28.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, logging over 35 minutes each night.
With Doncic handling more of the offensive workload, James has been able to focus on maximising his scoring efficiency.
The dynamic duo has helped the Lakers to a seven-game winning streak, propelling them to second place in the Western Conference standings, and making them serious contenders for the championship.
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More records and accolades
James’ historic night came on the same day he was named the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Month for February.
Averaging 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists throughout the month, he became the oldest player to ever receive the award.
Tributes poured in following his achievement, with Lakers legend Magic Johnson leading the praise.
“Congratulations to the King, LeBron James, for becoming the only player in NBA history to reach 50,000 career points!” Johnson wrote on social media.
As the Lakers continue their push for another championship, James shows no signs of slowing down.
With every game, he further solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest to ever play the sport.
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