LeBron James set to become 1st player to score 50,000 total points

The 22-year NBA veteran is just 1 point shy of reaching 50,000 career points – regular season and playoffs combined.

LeBron James is averaging 24.8 points with the Lakers this season.

No player in NBA history has scored more points than LeBron James.

Not in the regular season – LeBron broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record on Feb. 7, 2023 after the mark stood for 39 years.
Not in the NBA Playoffs – LeBron broke Michael Jordan’s all-time playoff scoring record on May 25, 2017 after the mark stood for 19 years.

Already the all-time leader in total points scored – regular season and playoffs combined – with 49,999, LeBron enters Tuesday’s game between the Lakers and Pelicans (10:30 ET, League Pass) needing 1 point to become the first player to reach 50,000 career points scored.

LeBron is on the verge of the milestone while playing some of his best ball of the season – averaging 29.3 points on 55.5% shooting and 44.3% from 3-point range over 11 games in the month of February.

It’s his highest scoring average in a calendar month since January 2022 (33.8 ppg) and top shooting marks since March 2024 (57.1% FG, 45.5% 3P).
During February, LeBron also became the first player in NBA history to have multiple 40+ point games at age 40 or higher. Michael Jordan is the only other 40-year-old with a 40+ point game with a record 43-point performance on Feb. 21, 2003.

Two words that will forever be linked to LeBron’s legacy – consistency and longevity – are key to his climb toward the 50,000 total points milestone.

Consistency: Averaging 24.8 points, LeBron is 0.2 ppg away from recording his 21st consecutive season averaging at least 25 points. Kevin Durant (on pace for 17) is the only other player in NBA history with more than 12 such seasons.
Longevity: 11 players have played two decades in the NBA, seven have played 21 seasons and only two – LeBron and Vince Carter – have played 22 seasons.

Playing at an All-Star level in his 22nd season – ranked 14th in scoring and 5th in assists – LeBron continues to defy Father Time and push the records he’s already set even higher for future generations to chase.

LeBron ranks first in total field goals made (18,288), second in total free throws made (10,418) behind only Karl Malone and fifth in total 3-pointers made (3,005) behind Steph Curry, James Harden, Ray Allen and Klay Thompson.

What do all those buckets look like?

The Lakers enter Tuesday’s matchup with the Pelicans on a six-game win streak and are a league-best 18-4 since Jan. 15 to climb to second in the Western Conference.

With the Lakers in position to earn a guaranteed playoff spot with a top six finish, LeBron not only has the 23 remaining games in the regular season – but a likely playoff run – to continue to add to his career totals.

Beyond that is the realm of the unprecedented – as no player has ever played 23 seasons in NBA history.

LeBron’s career has already been filled with unprecedented moments. And another can be reached Tuesday in L.A. as he creates the 50,000 total point club.