LeBron James is set to make history on Saturday against the Nuggets.
One year removed from surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James is ready to reach a new milestone. After going for 31 points in the Lakers’ overtime win over the Wizards on Thursday, the 20-time All-Star is only nine points away from becoming the first player in NBA history to register 40,000 career points.
Considering it has been over 17 years (!) since James has scored fewer than 10 points in a game, The King is all but certain to rewrite the record books against the defending champion Nuggets at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
The Sporting News has you covered with live statistical updates, highlights and more from James’ pursuit of 40K points below.
MORE: What to know about LeBron James’ scoring record as he approaches 40K
Lakers vs. Nuggets score
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final | |
| Lakers | — | — | — | — | — |
| Nuggets | — | — | — | — | — |
LeBron James stats vs. Nuggets
5 PTS (2-3 FG; 1-1 3PT), 3 AST, 2 REB, 1 STL in nine minutes.
How many points does LeBron James need to reach 40,000 points?
LeBron James is just four points away from 40,000 career points midway through the first quarter.
He has scored 39,996 points in his NBA career.
LeBron James live stats, updates, highlights from pursuit of 40,000 points
All times Eastern.
First quarter
8:56 p.m.: LeBron James headed to the bench with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. He’ll likely check back in during the second quarter just four points shy of the 40,000 milestone.
8:54 p.m.: LeBron James gets his first 3-point attempt to fall and now he’s just four points away from 40,000!
8:48 p.m.: The Lakers’ offense is humming along early in this one. They’ve converted eight of their first 11 field goal attempts with Austin Reaves dishing out five assists to set his teammates up for open looks.
LeBron James has only attempted two shots but just broke free for an easy transition layup. Los Angeles leads 18-12 with 6:20 remaining in the first quarter.
LeBron James runs the break and lays it in for his first bucket!
7 Points away from 40,000 👑
DEN-LAL Live on ABC pic.twitter.com/DY9l0scSSF
— NBA (@NBA) March 3, 2024
Pregame
8:00 p.m.: The Lakers will start D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
8:00 p.m.: Jamal Murray (ankle) will play and start for the Nuggets. He will be joined by Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr. and Christian Braun, who is starting in place of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
7:30 p.m.: The Lakers are ready for history. There is a running countdown for LeBron James’ pursuit of 40,000 points at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers have a running countdown for LeBron James reaching 40,000 points pic.twitter.com/CJdSnxsuGi
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 3, 2024
7:20 p.m.: Just nine points away from 40,000, the NBA has you covered with a highlight reel of James’ illustrious career to get you pumped up for the moment.
👑 LEBRON JAMES CAREER MIXTAPE 👑
The Scoring King seeks 40,000 career points (9 away) at 8:30 PM ET on ABC! pic.twitter.com/CYJBzIDQ8f
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2024
7:00 p.m.: The Nuggets will be without starting forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope due to “personal reasons.” Jamal Murray, who suffered an ankle injury in Denver’s game on Thursday, will be a true game-time decision.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (personal reasons) won’t play tonight vs. the Lakers. Jamal Murray (ankle) is a game-time decision.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 3, 2024
What channel Is Lakers vs. Nuggets on today?
- TV channel (National): ABC
- TV channel (Los Angeles): Spectrum SportsNet
- TV channel (Denver): Altitude Sports Network
Saturday night’s game between the Lakers and Nuggets will air on ABC. Regional sports networks in Southern California and Denver will also carry the game.
Lakers vs. Nuggets start time
- Date: Saturday, March 2
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET | 5:30 p.m. PT
The matchup between the Lakers and Nuggets will tip off around 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. local time) from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
