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ESPN staffMar 2, 2024, 10:01 PM ET
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, 2024The 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, 2024He 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 — Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) March 3, 2024 — NBA 2K (@NBA2K) March 3, 2024Congratulations 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, 202440k!!!! Man he's something else 🙌🏾
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) March 3, 2024Congrats @KingJames
Top of the top https://t.co/366ieBA5Ij
I did my part helping LeBron get to 40,000 points 😂 pic.twitter.com/GRt9die24R
— Gilbert Arenas (@GilsArenaShow) March 3, 2024
