65 games into his 21st season, LeBron James somehow found a way to match one of the best marks of his career.
In a crucial late-season win over the Nets, James hit a career-high nine 3-pointers en route to a 40-point, seven-rebound, five-assist performance. It was James’ third 40-point game of the 2023-24 NBA season, two of which came after his 39th birthday.
With his most recent scoring outburst, James became the second player in NBA history to post multiple 40-point games after turning 39 years old. It may not be a surprise that the other is Michael Jordan, who had three such games during his career. Period of magicians.
In total, only four NBA players age 39 or older have scored more than 40 points in a regular-season game. Check out the full list headed by two of the best players in the sport.
The oldest NBA players to score 40 points in a game
In addition to having the most 40-point games after turning 39, Jordan is the oldest player to score 40 points in an NBA game. Four days after turning 40, Jordan finished with 43 points in an 89-86 victory over the Nets.
Here’s the full list, via statistics head.
| Player | Points | Age | |
| 1. | Michael Jordan | 43 | 40 years, 4 days |
| 2. | Michael Jordan | Four. Five | 39 years, 349 days |
| 3. | Michael Jordan | 41* | 39 years, 321 days |
| 4. | Carl Malone | 40 | 39 years, 231 days |
| 5. | Lebron James | 40 | 39 years, 92 days |
| 6. | Lebron James | 40 | 39 years, 77 days |
| 7. | Jamal Crawford | 51 | 39 years, 20 days |
*Jordan’s 41-point performance on January 4, 2003 came in double overtime.
While Jordan is the oldest to score 40 points, Jamal Crawford is the oldest to score 50 points in an NBA game. The three-time Sixth Man of the Year came off the bench to score 51 points in what ended up being the penultimate game of his career.
After his 40-point game in Brooklyn, James commented “I don’t have much time left” in his NBA career, but he gave no indication that his retirement was imminent.
If James, who will turn 40 on December 30, 2024, returns for a 22nd season in the NBA, he will give himself the opportunity to jump to the top of the list.
LeBron James Stats 2023-24
James is having the best season among the short list of NBA players who will play 21 seasons.
- 25.4 points per game
- 8.1 assists per game
- 7.3 rebounds per game
- 1.2 steals per game
- 3.4 turnovers per game
- 53.3 percent field goals
- 41.6 percent 3-point shooting
- 75.2 percent free throws
In addition to the scoring, rebounding and assist numbers, James is shooting a career-high percentage from beyond the arc and is in line to play in the most regular season games of his tenure with the Lakers: James has appeared in 65 of the first 75 Los Angeles. Games in 2023-24.
As things stand, James’ current high for games played as a Laker is 67 during the 2019-20 season, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
