LeBron James Turns 40

LeBron James celebrates his 40th birthday on Monday, reaching an age that few NBA players have achieved while remaining active and competitive. As the Los Angeles Lakers superstar continues to rewrite history, let’s dive into the milestones achieved by NBA players in their 40s and what LeBron might accomplish next.

Scoring 40 Points at 40: A Legendary Feat

Scoring 40 points in a single game after turning 40 is an extremely rare achievement. Only one player in NBA history has done it—Michael Jordan. On February 21, 2003, just four days after his 40th birthday, Jordan scored 43 points in a win over the New Jersey Nets.

Other Players with 30+ Points After 40:

• Michael Jordan: 4 games

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 1 game (playoff)

• Karl Malone: 1 game (playoff)

• Dirk Nowitzki: 1 game

LeBron has the ability to join this elite list and potentially surpass Jordan’s post-40 scoring feats.

Triple-Doubles: A Rarity at 40

Triple-doubles are even rarer for 40-year-old players. Only Karl Malone has accomplished this, recording 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists for the Lakers on November 28, 2003, against the San Antonio Spurs.

Double-Doubles by Players at 40:

• John Stockton: 23

• Robert Parish: 22

• Karl Malone: 21

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 14

• Michael Jordan: 8

• Dikembe Mutombo: 5

• Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki: 1 each

LeBron’s all-around skill set makes him a strong candidate to add to this list.

Scoring Totals After 40

LeBron James has a chance to climb the leaderboard of points scored after turning 40. The current leaders include:

• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 1,941 points

• Robert Parish: 1,706 points

• Vince Carter: 1,433 points

• John Stockton: 1,088 points

LeBron’s scoring ability could see him rapidly rise in these rankings as he continues his career.

Oldest Players in NBA History

LeBron is the NBA’s oldest active player, but he would need to play six more years to claim the record as the oldest player ever.

• Oldest Player Ever: Nat Hickey (46 years old) played for the Providence Steamrollers in 1948.

LeBron’s durability suggests he might have the longevity to challenge this record.

Finals Appearances at 40: Rare but Possible

Only a few players have competed in the NBA Finals at 40 or older. The most recent was Udonis Haslem, who appeared for the Miami Heat in the 2023 Finals just two days before his 43rd birthday.

LeBron has already proven he can lead teams to championships and could make another deep playoff run in his 40s.

Average Stats for 40-Year-Old Players

The average performance for NBA players aged 40 and older is:

• Points: 6.6

• Rebounds: 3.5

• Assists: 1.4

LeBron’s career averages of 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists suggest he will far exceed these numbers, continuing to defy age-related expectations.

Who’s Next to Turn 40?

LeBron won’t be alone in the 40-and-over club for long. Upcoming NBA players reaching this milestone include:

• Chris Paul (San Antonio): Turns 40 on May 6, 2024.

• Taj Gibson (Charlotte): Turns 40 on June 24, 2024.

• Kyle Lowry (Philadelphia): Turns 40 on March 25, 2026.

LeBron’s Legacy: Defying Age and Expectations

LeBron James’ 40th birthday marks an incredible achievement in an already legendary career. As he continues to set records and challenge expectations, his impact on the NBA grows even stronger. With his remarkable skill, leadership, and durability, LeBron remains a force to be reckoned with, proving that age is just a number.