LeBron James surpasses 40,000 career points as NBA legend burnishes legacy

LeBron James surpassed 40,000 career points during Saturday night’s home game between his Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets, further solidifying his place in the NBA record books.

James, who has held the pro-basketball league’s record for most career points since last year, was within 9 points of the achievement going into the game. A layup in the second quarter had James reach 40,000 points, and another layup ensured he surpassed the mark.

When James reached the history-making number, L.A. fans jumped to their feet. Amid a subsequent timeout, a brief ceremony was held, and a video commemorating some of James’ achievements, "LeBron James 'Scoring King' Career Mixtape," was played at the venue.

The player with four NBA championships on his resume said it was a "special" moment when he looked toward his daughter, 9-year-old Zhuri, as he realized he made history with the first layup.

"My daughter was just clapping, and you know like pumping her arms up in the air," James said during a postgame news conference. "So that was a super cool moment. Blew her a kiss, she blew one back to me."

James finished the game with 26 points, but the night’s glow was fleeting, as the Lakers fell 114-124 after the defending champions went on a 9-point run late in the fourth.

James' presence on the hardwood wasn’t a certainty Saturday night.

On Friday, the NBA echoed a report by LakersNation.com stating that the Lakers had listed James as questionable for the Nuggets game because of pain and swelling in his left ankle. But James has been known to play, and play well, regardless of how he's listed.

Lakers fans basked in another James high mark, but play for his home state's Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as for the Miami Heat,