Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James became the first player to score a combined 50,000 points in regular-season and playoff games when he made a first-quarter 3-pointer during a home game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.
James, who became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in regular-season games in 2023, entered the Tuesday game with 41,837 regular-season points and 8,162 points in the regular season — both all-time records.
Only two other players have at least 40,000 combined points: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (44,149) and Karl Malone (41,689).
James’s milestone-setting 3-pointer from the left wing came with 8:34 remaining in the opening period off a pass from Luka Doncic.
Los Angeles entered the game 16-3 since Jan. 21 and 6-2 in games that Doncic had played after he was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline last month.
James was just selected the NBA Player of the Month for February after averaging 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 6.9 assists in 11 games.
In 22 career seasons, James has averaged 27.0 regular-season points with 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 1,547 games. He is a four-time Most Valuable Player and four-time NBA champion.
