From the record-breaking points to playing with his son Bronny: LeBron’s ten moments for eternity in the NBA

The NBA’s all-time scoring leader, LeBron James has redefined greatness across two decades of basketball. With 23 seasons under his belt—more than any other player in league history (Vince Carter made it to 22)—his career is a tapestry of iconic moments, record-breaking stats, and unforgettable highlights.

On February 18, 2002, Sports Illustrated featured a teenage LeBron on its cover with the headline “The Chosen One.” At just 17, the Akron native was already being hailed as the future of basketball. A year later, he was drafted No. 1 overall by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.

Straight outta high school

Skipping college, LeBron debuted in the NBA on October 29, 2003, against the Sacramento Kings. At 18, he dropped 25 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals in 42 minutes—earning Rookie of the Year honors with season averages of 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists.

Early playoff heroics

In 2007, LeBron led the Cavs to their first NBA Finals. But it was Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Detroit Pistons that became legend: he scored Cleveland’s final 25 points, including the game-winner in double overtime, finishing with 48 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Olympic redemption

After a disappointing bronze in Athens 2004, LeBron helped lead the “Redeem Team” to gold in Beijing 2008, alongside Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Paul. Team USA defeated Spain in what many still call the greatest FIBA game ever.

First MVP and the Miami move

LeBron won his first NBA MVP in 2009, averaging 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. In 2010, he made “The Decision” on ESPN, announcing his move to the Miami Heat—a moment that reshaped free agency forever. Though vilified at first, he silenced critics with back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

The first ring and Boston breakthrough

In Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Finals, facing elimination in Boston, LeBron delivered one of the greatest playoff performances ever: 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists, shooting 73% from the field. Miami won the series and later the title.

Ray Allen’s miracle three

In the 2013 Finals, the Heat were seconds from elimination when Ray Allen hit a clutch three to force overtime in Game 6. LeBron sealed the win in OT and clinched his second ring in Game 7 with a dagger over Kawhi Leonard.

Career-high scoring night

On March 3, 2014, LeBron scored a career-high 61 points against the Charlotte Hornets, shooting 22-of-33 from the field and 8-of-10 from three-point range.

The 2016 miracle

LeBron fulfilled his promise to Cleveland in 2016, leading the Cavs to their first NBA title by overcoming a 3–1 deficit against the record-setting 73–9 Golden State Warriors. His Finals averages: 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.3 blocks. His chase-down block on Andre Iguodala and Kyrie Irving’s clutch three sealed the historic comeback.

LeBron’s Hollywood era

After months of speculation during the 2017–18 season, the news finally broke in the summer of 2018: LeBron James was heading west. For the second time in his career, he left Cleveland—this time after four straight NBA Finals appearances—to sign with the most iconic franchise in basketball: the Los Angeles Lakers.

His longtime agent and confidant Rich Paul summed it up perfectly: “In 2010, LeBron went to Miami to win titles. In 2014, he returned to Cleveland to fulfill a promise. In 2018, he’s doing what he truly wants to do.”

The move to Hollywood marked a new chapter for LeBron—one driven not just by basketball, but by personal ambition and legacy. Wearing the purple and gold, he joined a lineage of legends from Magic Johnson to Kobe Bryant. And as of the upcoming 2025–26 season, LeBron will have spent eight years in L.A.—the longest stint of his career with any team.

The ‘bubble ring’: A championship like no other

Critics questioned whether LeBron’s move to California was more about media ventures than basketball. The filming of Space Jam: A New Legacy only added fuel to the fire, especially after the Lakers missed the playoffs in his first season.

But in 2019, the arrival of Anthony Davis changed everything. In 2020, amid the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA resumed play in a tightly controlled bubble in Central Florida. The Lakers emerged as champions in one of the most mentally and physically demanding seasons ever.

LeBron earned his fourth championship and fourth Finals MVP—becoming the first player in NBA history to win Finals MVP with three different franchises (Heat, Cavaliers, Lakers). It was a defining moment that silenced doubters and added another jewel to his crown.

The scoring king: breaking Kareem’s record

For decades, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record of 38,387 points seemed untouchable. Then came LeBron.

On February 7, 2023, in Los Angeles against the Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron hit one of his signature fadeaway jumpers and officially became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. As of now, he’s sitting at 42,184 points—and counting, with another season ahead to push the record even further.

He’s also the undisputed playoff scoring leader, with 8,289 points, far ahead of Michael Jordan’s 5,987.

Olympic glory in Paris

After Team USA’s disappointing finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the stars aligned for a redemption arc. In Paris 2024, LeBron—now 40—joined forces with Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry to form a modern-day Dream Team.

The gold medal wasn’t easy. Team USA had to rally against Serbia in the semifinals and grind out a tough win over France in the final. But they got it done, giving LeBron his fourth Olympic medal (three golds, one bronze) and delivering one of the most iconic images in Olympic basketball history: LeBron, Durant, and Curry standing side by side.

History with Bronny: Father and son share the court

Opening night of the 2024–25 season brought a moment that transcended sports. In a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers head coach JJ Redick made history by putting LeBron and his son Bronny James on the court together—just before halftime.

It was the first time a father and son had ever played in the same NBA game, wearing the same jersey. Bronny, selected 55th overall in the draft by the Lakers, fulfilled a dream that LeBron had long championed. “It’s something I’ll never forget,” LeBron said afterward, visibly emotional.

From Akron to Hollywood, from rookie phenom to scoring legend, and now a proud father sharing the court with his son—LeBron James’ journey is unlike anything the NBA has ever seen.

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