LeBron James, who is attempting to break the lifetime scoring record, scored 40,000 points on Saturday night and is still going strong in his 21st NBA season.

With 10:39 remaining in the second quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Denver Nuggets, James drove past Michael Porter Jr. and made the game-winning layup.

At the following break, James was greeted with a standing ovation and a congrats from coach Darvin Ham on a well-done chest pat. James raised the ball over his head both before and after the in-arena video presentation.

On his first shot of the game, James missed the mark with an airball, but he quickly rebounded by getting out in transition for his first basket of the game and forcing the Nuggets to take their first timeout. In the final 3:19 of the first quarter, he made a corner three-pointer before fouling out.

James returned to the game at the beginning of the second quarter, attacking the hoop 14 seconds in to create the game-winning basket.

On February 7, 2023, James overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points to take the top spot in the league against the Oklahoma City Thunder. On November 21, when playing the Utah Jazz in an In-Season Tournament game, he scored 39,000 points.

When Abdul-Jabbar was nearing the end of his career, Ham was a young fan and thought the record would never be topped, much less challenged in the way James has.

Before the game, Ham remarked, “But here we are.” “The amount of time and money Bron dedicates to his well-being, ensuring not only his physical but also his optimal health, is a testament to him.”

James, 39, also holds the record for most minutes played in both the regular season and the playoffs in the league. With at least 10,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 10,000 assists, he is the only NBA player in this category.

Michael Malone, the coach of the Nuggets, was James’ assistant coach for five seasons (2005–10) with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Malone is still amazed at James’ ability to play at such a high level.

Malone remarked, “You just have to marvel at the continued greatness. I don’t get caught up in the number per se.”

Even more concerning is the fact that, at this point in his career, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all. Honestly, you just have to be amazed at the longevity when you stand back. He’s simply not playing at this, though. He is using his game well.