LeBron James is no stranger to rewriting the record books. From the moment he stepped onto an NBA court at 18, he's been on a collision course with greatness, stacking up accomplishments that once seemed out of reach. Now, he's just 79 points shy of yet another unfathomable landmark: 50,000 total points in the regular season and playoffs combined.

It's a milestone so massive, it's hard to wrap your head around. When it happens in the next few games, he’ll be the first to accomplish such a feat, capping off a journey that has spanned two decades, multiple NBA teams, and countless unforgettable moments. 

Sure, some fans might say it’s just a longevity award, but this one carries some serious weight. After all, the list of players who have even sniffed 40,000 combined points is just three players long.

The Road So Far

By now, most hoop heads know that LeBron doesn’t measure success purely by personal stats — he has four rings, four Finals MVPs, and a trophy case busting at the seams. But the way he’s piled up points has been breathtaking to watch. With 41,759 in the regular season and 8,162 in the playoffs, James sits at a jaw-dropping 49,921 total. That places him 79 points away from a mark no one else has ever reached.

He’s already passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing scoring record for the regular season back on February 7, 2023, which most fans believed would remain out of reach for generations to come. But as we’ve learned, LeBron doesn’t follow the typical timeline of basketball mortals.

Longevity That Defies Logic

What’s especially wild is that James is entering his 22nd NBA season. Only Vince Carter lasted that long, and most players are slowing way down by their 12th or 13th year. Yet here’s LeBron, still powering down the lane for and-one dunks, orchestrating the offense, and taking on the league’s best in crunch time. He might not be the same spry 18-year-old who soared over opponents in Cleveland, but he’s adapted his game to keep up with, and often surpass, the next generation.

Chasing the Milestone

If you’re trying to plan a date with basketball destiny, you might want to circle the upcoming home tilt against the New York Knicks as the prime event. There’s speculation that he could break it a game earlier. But with LeBron's stated love for the Knicks and the added eyes of the New York market, don't be surprised if he exits early in that game against the Pelicans.

There won’t be confetti falling from the rafters or a surprise halftime ceremony — it’s not that kind of record. But there will be an understanding, both from LeBron and the fans in the building, that this is another chapter in an already ridiculous career. 

That won't stop the media circus from trying to poke holes in it the next day, as they always do. But for anyone watching in real-time, this will be one of those “I remember where I was when…” kind of moment. 

No need to compare it to anything (or anyone) else — just enjoy the fact that we’re watching a one-of-one career unfold.

Beyond Just Points

The scoring is one thing, but let’s not forget LeBron’s been able to score so much because of how often he's been available. He’s already become the first player to ever play 70,000 total minutes, showing you just how much wear and tear his body has taken. 

If he nails enough free throws, he’ll move up to second all-time in that category, too — which is shocking for a 73% career free-throw shooter. 

That kind of durability and consistency is what separates good players from legends. It’s not just about scoring — it's about showing up, night after night, year after year, and doing it at the highest level.

Will This Record Be Untouchable?

NBA history tells us that no record is truly unbreakable (ask Kareem). Still, 50K combined points is a rarified feat that demands two decades of excellence. In this era of load management and enticing post-playing careers, replicating that trajectory seems incredibly unlikely. 

Could another transcendent player come along and shatter LeBron’s totals one day? Possibly. But it would take the perfect storm of talent, health, and maybe a dash of good fortune. I simply don't see it happening in my lifetime, or even my children's. 

For now, all eyes are on the Lakers' current homestretch. One way or another, LeBron James is hurtling toward 50,000 total points, adding yet another chapter to the story of a kid from Akron. And for us fans, it’s a front-row seat to history, a chance to witness something truly extraordinary that might not come around again.