LOS ANGELES — On Tuesday night, LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 40-year-old marvel, did what he’s been doing for two decades: rewrite history while making it look effortless. With a silky 3-pointer from the left wing—off a Luka Doncic dime, no less—James became the NBA’s first player to hit 50,000 combined points across the regular season and postseason. The milestone came in a 136-115 drubbing of the New Orleans Pelicans, pushing the Lakers to a sizzling 17-3 run over their last 20 games and a 39-21 record, good for second in the West.
The moment was pure LeBron. Needing just one point to cross the threshold, he didn’t mess around—draining the triple with 8:34 left in the first quarter to put L.A. up 13-6. Crypto.com Arena erupted, and during the next timeout, Lakers PA announcer Lawrence Tanter laid it on thick: “Ladies and gentlemen, we all have just witnessed history.” Cue the crowd losing its collective mind as LeBron waved like a guy who’s done this before—because, well, he has.
James finished with 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists, another ho-hum stat line for a guy who’s defying Father Time like it’s a personal vendetta. “It’s a hell of a lot of points,” he told Spectrum SportsNet postgame, flashing that megawatt grin. “I’m super blessed to put that many up in the best league in the world with the best players over my career. It’s pretty special.” Understatement of the century, Bron.
Let’s break it down: LeBron’s the all-time leader in regular-season points (41,871) and playoff points (8,162). Add those up, and you’ve got 50,033 after Tuesday’s heroics. Since turning 40, he’s averaging 26.4 points on 54.1% shooting (42.3% from deep), 8.2 boards, and 8.1 dimes over 28 games. For context, that’s eerily close to his 2012-13 MVP season with the Heat (26.8 points, 56.5% FG, 8.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists). He even flexed about it on Instagram recently—because if you’re LeBron, why not?
The timing couldn’t be sweeter. Hours before tip-off, he snagged Western Conference Player of the Month for February (29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 10-2 Lakers record). At this rate, the only thing aging is his driver’s license.
But here’s where it gets funny—and a little messy. Lakers coach JJ Redick, in a rare moment of stat-nerd rebellion, pointed out the NBA’s counting quirks. LeBron’s 50,000-point party might’ve happened sooner if the league didn’t treat play-in and in-season tournament games like awkward stepchildren. In three play-in games (2021, 2023, 2024), he’s dropped 75 points—uncredited to his playoff total. And that 24-point gem in the 2023 in-season tournament championship? Not in the regular-season bucket either. “Those one-game scenarios are playoff games,” Redick argued pregame. “I think those should count, for sure.” Somewhere, a stats intern is sweating.
Still, none of that dims the shine. “We wouldn’t be in the position we’re in without him playing at this level,” Redick said, tipping his cap to LeBron’s two-way dominance. The guy’s not just piling up points—he’s anchoring a contender.
At 22 seasons deep, James keeps giving back to the game he loves, as he put it: “I’ve always been true to it, so I’m going to always try.” True enough to hit 50,000 points, true enough to make it look easy, and true enough to keep us all watching. Congrats, King—here’s to 60,000, or whatever wild number you’ve got up your sleeve next. Just don’t ask the NBA to count it right the first time.
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