LeBron James turns 40: A look at NBA milestones for players at that age

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LeBron James celebrates his 40th birthday on Monday, joining an exclusive list of NBA players to continue their careers at that age.

Here’s a look at some key statistical milestones for players in their 40s in NBA history.

Only one player has scored 40 points in a game after turning 40: Michael Jordan.

On Feb. 21, 2003, just days after turning 40, Jordan scored 43 points for Washington in a 89-86 win over New Jersey.

While James is the oldest active player in the NBA, he’s far from the oldest player in history. That distinction belongs to Nat Hickey, who played two games for the Providence Steamrollers in 1948 at nearly 46 years old.

Despite limited success on the court, Hickey's record still stands as the oldest player to compete in an NBA game.

Udonis Haslem holds the distinction of being the only player in the last two decades to appear in an NBA Finals game at 40.

He played in the 2023 Finals at nearly 43 years old. Before him, Karl Malone was the last 40-year-old to play in the NBA Finals in 2004.

On average, players who reach 40 in the NBA contribute 6.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. James, however, is expected to exceed these numbers. In his 30s, he averaged 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game.

There have only been seven instances of players scoring 30 points or more after turning 40. Michael Jordan has four of those games, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, and Dirk Nowitzki each have one. Both Abdul-Jabbar and Malone achieved their 30-point games in the playoffs.

Triple-doubles are even rarer for players over 40, with just one recorded in NBA history. Karl Malone achieved this feat on Nov. 28, 2003, with 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a Lakers win over San Antonio.

Double-doubles are more common for players in their 40s, with 95 such performances recorded. Notable players with double-doubles after 40 include John Stockton (23), Robert Parish (22), Karl Malone (21), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (14).

LeBron James is poised to join the ranks of players with impressive point totals after 40.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record with 1,941 points after turning 40, followed by Robert Parish (1,706), Vince Carter (1,433), and John Stockton (1,088). James is set to surpass some of these totals in his ongoing career.

As LeBron James enters his 40s, he continues to break records and defy expectations, cementing his place in NBA history for his longevity and consistent performance on the court.