No matter how much hype surrounds a player entering the NBA, it is not realistic to expect the player will live up to the hype, let alone surpass it, and become one of the all-time greats with multiple titles, MVPs and the most points scored.
In a remarkable career that has spanned two decades – a testament to longevity, consistency and durability – Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has done both. It was impossible to predict the kind of career James has had.
And he’s not finished. In his next game, James, who has scored more points than any player in NBA history, should become the first to reach 40,000 points. He’s at 39,991, and the Lakers play the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
A look at James’ attack on NBA scoring legends:
LeBron James’ scoring milestones
First two points, Oct. 29, 2003
Against Sacramento in his NBA debut, James, just 18 years old, made a mid-range baseline jumper with 8:57 remaining in the first quarter. He finished with 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds.
10,000 points, Feb. 27, 2008
On a dunk in the third quarter against Boston, James reached the 10,000-point mark – becoming, at 23 years, 58 days old, the youngest player to reach 10,000 career points.
20,000 points, Jan. 16, 2013
In his third season with Miami, James scored his 20,000th point against Golden State, becoming the youngest player, at 28 years, 17 days, to hit 20,000 points.
30,000 points, Jan. 23, 2018
At a remarkable pace of about 10,000 points every five seasons, James became the sixth player in NBA history to reach 30,000 points, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.
32,293 points, March 6, 2019
In his first season with the Lakers, James reached another scoring milestone, passing Jordan as the No. 4 all-time leading scorer on a driving bucket just past the midway point of the second quarter.
33,644 points, Jan. 25, 2020
With 7:23 in the third quarter, James’ driving layup gave him 33,644 points and pushed him ahead of Bryant (33,643) for No. 3 on the scoring list. The game was in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown, and the next day, Bryant died in ahelicopteraccident.
36,929 points, March 19, 2022
In the second quarter against Washington, James tied Malone for No. 2 with a 3-pointer and then passed Malone with a layup on a backdoor cut.
38,388 points, Feb. 7, 2023
In one of the league’s most anticipated and historic moments, James passed Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. The record-setting shot was a fadeaway mid-range jumper against Oklahoma City.
39,000 points, Nov. 21, 2023
James hit 39,000 points against Utah earlier this season, continuing his methodical march toward 40,000 points.
39,898 points, Feb. 23, 2024
James had 30 points against San Antonio.
39,926 points, Feb. 25, 2024
Scoring 28 points against Phoenix put James less than 100 points from the unprecedented 40,000 mark.
39,960 points, Feb. 28, 2024
39,991 points, Feb. 29, 2024
James put up another 30-point game, finishing with 31 points on 12-for-24 shooting as the Lakers defeated the Washington Wizards 134-131 in overtime. He should cross the 40,000-point mark in his next game, assuming his double-digit scoring streak that stretches back to 2007 doesn’t end.
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt