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In Saturday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to achieve 40,000 career points in the regular season.
However, following his Los Angeles Lakers team’s 124-114 loss against the reigning NBA champions, he called it “bittersweet”.
“It’s pretty cool to be the first player to do something in this league,” the 39-year-old, who finished the game with 26 points, said.
“You just know the history, you know the greats that have come through.”
es scored the historic basket with 10 minutes and 39 seconds remaining in the second quarter with a driving lay-up from the left side of the basket to give the Lakers a 37-32 lead.
The crowd gave James a standing ovation during a timeout and the ball he used to reach the milestone was removed from the game.
However, the Nuggets stretched their winning streak to six games thanks to 35 points from Nikola Jokic to leave James with mixed feelings.
“The main thing is always the main thing and that’s the win,” he said. “And I hated that had to happen in a defeat especially versus a team that plays extremely well.
“We played some good basketball but weren’t able to close it out, so [it’s] bittersweet, but I enjoyed every moment on the floor.”
The four-time NBA champion and four-time Most Valuable Player is in his 21st campaign and is the league’s oldest active player.
James said he did not know if another NBA player could reach the 40,000-point milestone.
“You have to play the game quite a while and have some good luck with injuries and things of that nature,” he said.
“You have to take care of your body. You have to be present on the floor and then you have to be productive as well.”
Lakers coach Darvin Ham was among those to pay tribute to James.
“Just happy for him. It was a hell of an accomplishment,” he said.