LeBron James just became the first player to hit 50,000 points in NBA history!

LeBron James just made history—again. Already the first NBA player to earn over $500 million in career salary, the 40-year-old Lakers star has now become the first player ever to hit 50,000 career points, combining regular season and playoff games.

The record-breaking moment came on March 4, 2025, in a matchup between the Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans. Early in the game—just 3 minutes and 26 seconds in—James nailed a three-pointer off an assist from Luka Doncic, putting him over the 50,000 mark. He finished the night with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists in a dominant 136–115 win.

This milestone only adds to LeBron’s legendary status. In February 2024, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in the regular season, passing the 40,000-point threshold. Behind him: Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan—none of whom reached the heights LeBron now stands on. In the playoffs, it’s the same story: LeBron leads all-time with 8,162 points, well ahead of Jordan’s 5,987.

Beyond the numbers, the moment was a powerful reminder of James’s lasting influence. Named Western Conference Player of the Month in February 2024, he’s still averaging 24.8 points per game this season—and nearly 30 last month. More than two decades in, King James remains the face of the Lakers—and a force in the league.