LeBron James becomes oldest player
to score 40 points in NBA history, dropping 42 in Lakers' victory
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[February 07, 2025]
By GREG BEACHAM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Age is more than just a number to LeBron James.
It's also a target.
The 40-year-old James became the oldest player to score 40 points in
an NBA game Thursday night, putting up a season-high 42 in the Los
Angeles Lakers' 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
James passed the record held by Michael Jordan, his idol and the
only other NBA player to score 40 after his 40th birthday.
“I’m old, that’s my take,” James said when asked about his latest
achievement. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep, that’s what I
think.”
Jordan did it for the Washington Wizards just three days after
turning 40 in February 2003. James is 38 days removed from his 40th
birthday last Dec. 30 — and it seems highly unlikely this will be
the last time he hits the mark, since the top scorer in NBA history
is still playing phenomenal basketball deep in his record-tying 22nd
NBA season.
This feat is a remarkable bookend for James as well: He also is the
youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game.
James first hit the mark 88 days after his 19th birthday on March
27, 2004, scoring 41 as a rookie for the Cleveland Cavaliers against
the New Jersey Nets.
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“Throughout my journey, anytime I’ve been named or put in a category
of whatever the case, to cross paths with the greats is always
humbling,” James said. “Just to know where I come from and I love
the game so much, so it’s pretty cool.”
James also grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds and added eight assists
while carrying the Lakers down the stretch against the Warriors and
36-year-old Stephen Curry, who put up 37 points in defeat.
“We’ve run out of words and superlatives and descriptions to capture
what he’s doing at this stage of his career and at this age,” Lakers
coach JJ Redick said. “It continues to be remarkable. It really
does, and he really led us tonight. AR having an off shooting night,
and we needed all of that offense from LeBron.”
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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots a jumper against
Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield during the second half of an
NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP
Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
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James is still making NBA history while he waits to
begin his new partnership with Luka Doncic, who watched his new
teammate's domination from the bench for the second straight game
since arriving in a trade with Dallas. Doncic is likely to make his
Lakers debut on Monday night at home against Utah.
“I can’t wait, because everything I do on the floor, he has the
ability to do it or do it even better,” James said. “That’s how
great he is. Even at his young age, 25, he’s such a unique player.
He’s a special player, a generational talent, so I’m
super-appreciative to be able to share the floor with him and then
watch him do his thing.”
James was outstanding all night against the Warriors. He scored 18
points in the second quarter in a spree highlighted by three
3-pointers in 38 seconds — the third from the Lakers' logo at
midcourt. He basked in a standing ovation from the Lakers crowd
while teammate Rui Hachimura placed an imaginary crown on his head.
James then stepped up down the stretch when the Lakers' 26-point
lead dwindled to five in the fourth quarter. Golden State trailed by
only six when James drained his sixth 3-pointer of the night with
1:08 to play, and he followed it with a half-court assist to
Hachimura for a dunk that essentially sealed the win with 49 seconds
left.
James didn't quite manage a triple-double against the Warriors,
falling just short for the second straight game. He is the
second-oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, and
he's still about 90 days too young to break the record set by Karl
Malone in 2003.
James has 10 triple-doubles this season, each one making him the
second-oldest player to accomplish the feat.
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