As LeBron James continues to etch his name in the annals of NBA history, his career has been punctuated by numerous milestone baskets. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most memorable scoring moments from King James’ illustrious journey.
- First-ever career points
When: Oct. 29, 2003
What: In his NBA debut, James sank a 16-foot jumper, marking the beginning of an extraordinary career that would redefine basketball excellence. - Youngest to ever score 5,000 career points
When: Jan. 21, 2006
What: A 51-point explosion against the Utah Jazz solidified James’ status as the youngest player to reach 5,000 career points, showcasing his scoring prowess from an early age. - LeBron reaches 10,000 career points
When: Feb. 27, 2008
What: Despite battling an ankle injury, James surpassed the 10,000-point milestone, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to achieve this feat. - Becomes Cavs’ all-time leading scorer
When: March 21, 2008
What: With a thunderous ovation from the Quicken Loans Arena crowd, James surpassed Brad Daugherty to become the Cavaliers’ all-time leading scorer, a testament to his impact on the franchise. - LeBron reaches 15,000 career points
When: March 19, 2010
What: James’ free throws against the Chicago Bulls marked his ascent to 15,000 career points, highlighting his consistent excellence on the court. - LeBron reaches 20,000 career points
When: Jan. 16, 2013
What: A short jumper elevated James into the exclusive 20,000-point club, making him the youngest player to achieve this milestone. - Scores career-high 61 points
When: March 3, 2014
What: James’ electrifying 61-point performance against the Charlotte Bobcats set a Miami Heat franchise record, showcasing his ability to dominate games at will. - Youngest to reach 25,000 points
When: Nov. 2, 2015
What: With an alley-oop finish, James became the youngest player to reach 25,000 career points, further solidifying his place among basketball’s elite. - LeBron enters 30,000-point club
When: Jan. 23, 2018
What: James’ jumper against the Spurs made him the seventh player in NBA history to surpass 30,000 career points, a testament to his longevity and scoring prowess. - LeBron’s double-digit scoring record
When: March 30, 2018
What: James’ consistency on the offensive end was exemplified by his record-breaking streak of consecutive games with double-digit points, surpassing Michael Jordan’s mark. - LeBron passes Wilt
When: Nov. 14, 2018
What: A 44-point outburst against the Trail Blazers propelled James past Wilt Chamberlain on the all-time scoring list, further solidifying his legacy. - LeBron passes Jordan for No. 4
When: March 6, 2019
What: Surpassing Michael Jordan in career points, James cemented his status as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. - LeBron passes Kobe for No. 3
When: Jan. 25, 2020
What: In a poignant moment, James surpassed Kobe Bryant on the all-time scoring list, honoring his friend and mentor with a remarkable achievement. - LeBron scores 10+ points in 1,000th straight game
When: Dec. 30, 2020
What: James’ durability and consistency were on full display as he became the first player in NBA history to score double-digit points in 1,000 consecutive games. - LeBron passes Malone for No. 2
When: March 19, 2022
What: Surpassing Karl Malone, James ascended to the second spot on the all-time scoring list, further solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s greatest scorers. - LeBron becomes the NBA’s all-time leading scorer
When: Feb. 7, 2023
What: A stepback jumper against the Thunder propelled James to the top of the all-time scoring list, etching his name in basketball history. - LeBron reaches 40,000 career points
When: March 2, 2024
What: James’ layup against the Denver Nuggets marked the culmination of a remarkable journey, as he became just the fourth player in NBA history to reach the 40,000-point milestone.
As LeBron James continues to defy Father Time and rewrite the record books, his legacy as one of basketball’s greatest scorers is firmly cemented for generations to come.
