KEY POINTS

  • LeBron James joins Kareem and Karl Malone as the only players to score 35,000 points in the NBA
  • James is also the only player in NBA history to amass 35,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, and 9,000 assists
  • The multiple-time MVP is in the 18th year of his NBA career

In his 18th season in the NBA, LeBron James continues to make even more NBA history.

As Lebron and the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, the multiple-time NBA champion and MVP added another milestone to his already impressive legacy by becoming just the third player in NBA history to reach 35,000 career points.

The 36-year old joins Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387) and Karl Malone (36,928) as the only players in history to reach 35,000 or more points scored.

Last year, James surpassed the late great Kobe Bryant for third in the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Bryant scored 33,643 points in his 20-year NBA career.

While LeBron may be approaching two decades in the league, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down and is in fact looking very much in his prime.

If he can continue to produce at the rate that he is for the next two to three years, he is on track to surpass Malone for the No. 2spot.

While James is just the third player in history to reach 35,000 points, he is the only player in NBA history to reach 35,000 points, 9,000 assists, and 9,000 rebounds.

Heading into Thursday’s game against the Nets, James had 9,642 rebounds and 9,576 assists.

The Los Angeles Lakers can pay LeBron James millions, but still needed a Paycheck Protection Loan?
The Los Angeles Lakers can pay LeBron James millions, but still needed a Paycheck Protection Loan? AFP / HECTOR RETAMAL

James is a four-time NBA champion, having won two titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, and most recently, one with the Lakers in 2020.

James has also won four regular-season Most Valuable Player and Finals Most Valuable Player awards throughout his highly-decorated career.

This season, “King James” is looking to lead the Lakers to a second-straight NBA championship.

The Lakers are currently second in the Western Conference at 22-7. For the season, James is averaging 25.7 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game.

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