Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James received a rousing ovation from his home crowd after passing 40,000 points to cement his place as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. The 39-year-old North American needed just nine points in a game against reigning champions the Denver Nuggets. 

He reached the milestone midway through the game, driving to the basket in the second quarter and spinning around Michael Porter Jr. for a left-handed layup. "To be the first player to do something in this league is great because you know the history and the excellence that has gone through the league," James said. 

"However, the most important thing is always the most important thing, and that is winning. And I hated that it had to happen in a loss, especially to a team that plays extremely well," he said after the 124-114 defeat to Denver. "We played good basketball, but we couldn't close it out, so it was bittersweet, but I enjoyed every moment I was on the court," 'King James' insisted.

Around 20,000 people in the Crypto.com Arena, already on their feet in anticipation, paid tribute to the player who has led them for the past six seasons and to a 17th ring in 2020. "A lot of respect and loyalty to the Lakers fans for showing me that love," said the all-time leading scorer, who has won four NBA titles (two more with Miami in 2012 and 2013 and one with Cleveland in 2016).

King James reached this new milestone in his career just one year after becoming the league's all-time leading scorer. In February 2023, he surpassed the record of 38,387 points held by another Lakers legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 

"You have to play for a long time and be lucky with injuries and things like that," he insisted, never ceasing to amaze with his performance and physical condition in his twenty-first season in the league, in which he averaged 25.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.9 assists per night.

However, LeBron's night of glory could not extend beyond his 26 points, four rebounds and nine assists in 37 minutes as he was outplayed by Denver. "I wish we would have won," concluded the player who also ranks fourth in assists, eighth in steals and tenth in defensive rebounds. 

Of the 40,000 points, James scored 23,119 in 11 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-2010 and 2014-2018), 7,919 in four seasons with the Miami Heat (2010-2014) and 8,962 since joining the Lakers in 2018. The NBA calculates this mark using regular season statistics only.

Top ten scorers in NBA history:

1. LeBron James 40,017 points.

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 38,387.

3. Karl Malone 36,928.

4. Kobe Bryant 33,643.

5. Michael Jordan 32,292.

6. Dirk Nowitzki 31,560.

7. Wilt Chamberlain 31,419.

8. Shaquille O'Neal 28,596.

9. Kevin Durant 28,372.

10. Carmelo Anthony 28,289.