LeBron James Makes NBA History as Oldest Player to Score 40+/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ At 40 years old, LeBron James made history again, becoming the oldest player to score 40 points in an NBA game with a 42-point, 17-rebound, 8-assist performance in the Lakers’ 120-112 victory over the Warriors. Surpassing Michael Jordan’s record, LeBron also holds the distinction of being the youngest player to ever score 40 in a game, achieving the feat at just 19 years old. With his dominant performance against Stephen Curry and Golden State, James continues proving that age is just a number.
LeBron James’ Historic 42-Point Game: Key Takeaways
- Oldest to Score 40+ Points: At 40 years, 38 days old, James broke Michael Jordan’s record, who scored 40 at age 40 years, 3 days in 2003.
- Youngest to Score 40+ Points: James first hit 40 at age 19, making him the youngest and oldest player to reach the milestone.
- Dominant Performance: James scored 42 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and dished 8 assists in the Lakers’ win over the Warriors.
- Clutch Moments: Hit six 3-pointers, including a dagger with 1:08 left to secure the win.
- Lakers’ Future with Luka Doncic: James is eager to team up with new Lakers star Luka Doncic, who was watching courtside.
- Historic Season Continues: James is also closing in on Karl Malone’s record for oldest player to record a triple-double.
LeBron James Makes NBA History as Oldest Player to Score 40+
Deep Look: LeBron James Defies Age with 42-Point Masterclass
LeBron James has made a career out of rewriting NBA history, and on Thursday night, he added another milestone to his legendary résumé.
At 40 years old, James delivered a 42-point, 17-rebound, 8-assist performance, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-112 win over the Golden State Warriors. In doing so, he became the oldest player in NBA history to score 40 points, surpassing Michael Jordan’s previous record.
“I’m Old, That’s My Take” – LeBron on Breaking Jordan’s Record
“I’m old, that’s my take,” James joked postgame. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep, that’s what I think.”
Jordan, James’ childhood idol, previously held the record when he scored 43 points at age 40 while playing for the Washington Wizards in 2003.
But James’ achievement is even more remarkable because he also holds the record for being the youngest player to score 40, having done so at just 19 years old in 2004 as a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Anytime my name is mentioned alongside the greats, it’s humbling,” James said. “It’s pretty cool to be on both ends of the spectrum.”
Clutch Performance Against Warriors & Steph Curry
James’ second-quarter explosion set the tone for his record-breaking night.
- He scored 18 points in the second quarter, hitting three deep 3-pointers in just 38 seconds.
- One of those threes was from midcourt, sending the Lakers crowd into a frenzy.
- Rui Hachimura crowned James during the celebration, further cementing his status as the NBA’s king.
Golden State cut a 26-point deficit down to five late in the fourth quarter, but James stepped up once again.
- With 1:08 left, he drilled his sixth three-pointer of the night, pushing the Lakers’ lead to nine points.
- On the next possession, he found Hachimura for a fast-break dunk, sealing the win with 49 seconds left.
Coach & Teammates in Awe of LeBron’s Longevity
“We’ve run out of words and superlatives to describe what he’s doing at this age,” Redick said. “It continues to be remarkable.”
Even Stephen Curry, who finished with 37 points for Golden State, had to admire LeBron’s performance.
“There’s only one LeBron,” Curry said postgame.
LeBron & Luka: A Superstar Duo in the Making
While James’ historic night stole the headlines, another major storyline loomed: his upcoming partnership with Luka Doncic.
Doncic, who was traded to the Lakers from the Mavericks, watched from the bench for the second straight game. He is expected to make his Lakers debut Monday against Utah.
James is excited to share the court with Doncic, calling the 25-year-old a generational talent.
“I can’t wait, because everything I do on the floor, he has the ability to do it—or even do it better,” James said. “He’s that special.”
What’s Next for LeBron? Another Record in Sight
While James fell just short of a triple-double, he is closing in on another major milestone.
- Karl Malone currently holds the record as the oldest player to record a triple-double at 40 years, 127 days old in 2003.
- James still has 90 days to break that record, and given his current form, it’s only a matter of time.
James also recorded his 10th triple-double this season, proving that he is still playing at an MVP-caliber level.
“At this point, I just go out and play my game,” James said. “I take it one day at a time, and I love the game too much to slow down.”
With his historic performance against the Warriors, LeBron James has once again defied Father Time—and if history has taught us anything, he’s not done making NBA history just yet.
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