LeBron set to hit 50,000 points milestone

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James is set to achieve an unprecedented milestone in NBA history by becoming the first athlete to accumulate 50,000 points when combining regular season and playoff games. If he participates in Tuesday night’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, he requires only a single point to secure this remarkable achievement.

James edged towards this milestone after contributing 17 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Clippers, with a final score of 108-102, marking their sixth straight win. Now at 40, James’s legendary status as the top scorer in NBA history spans both the regular season and playoffs, a testament to his extraordinary endurance and impact on the sport.

During his 22nd season, James matches Vince Carter’s record for the most played seasons and is set to accumulate 50,000 points, a testament to his longevity in the game. The iconic Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who competed in 20 seasons, ranks second in combined points with a total of 44,149.

As of Tuesday, James stands third in terms of the most regular-season games played in NBA history with 1,547, trailing only Robert Parish and Abdul-Jabbar. Maintaining his health and opting for a 23rd season could see him surpass Parish’s record. Additionally, James holds the record for playoff appearances with 287 games. He cinched the title of all-time playoff scoring leader in 2017 when he surpassed Michael Jordan’s record during a Cleveland Cavaliers’ game.

On February 7, 2023, James further solidified his legendary status by surpassing Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing regular-season scoring record during a game against Oklahoma City. A key factor in James’s scoring prowess is his unparalleled consistency, shown by scoring at least 10 points in 1,277 consecutive games since January 2007—a streak unrivaled in the league’s history.