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          Sports world praises LeBron James for reaching 40,000 points

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          LeBron becomes first NBA player to score 40,000 career points (0:41)

          LeBron James cements his place in basketball history, becoming the first NBA player to reach the extraordinary 40,000 career points mark. (0:41)

          • ESPN staffMar 3, 2024, 03:01 AM

          LeBron James extended his all-time scoring record on Saturday by becoming the first NBA player to reach 40,000 regular-season points.

          The Los Angeles Lakers star passed the total with a driving left hand layup early in the second quarter, leading to a standing ovation from the Crypto.com Arena crowd. There was no stoppage in play, but it was acknowledged during the ensuing timeout with a video tribute and another ovation.

          He entered the matchup against the Denver Nuggets nine points away from 40,000. The milestone comes just a year after he passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career points in NBA history.

          Counting both playoff and regular-season points, James already eclipsed 40,000 points -- he had 48,014 entering Saturday. However, he's the first to ever accomplish the feat in the regular season alone.

          Here's how the sports world reacted to James passing 40,000 points.