When the Los Angeles Lakers open the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets on Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), LeBron James will begin his 19th postseason run. To celebrate that historic achievement, here are 19 stats you need to know about one of the greatest careers in sports history.
19th playoff appearance
James ties Karl Malone and John Stockton for the most playoff appearances in NBA history, while passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Tim Duncan, who had 18 apiece. His 19 playoff appearances are more than six NBA franchises have in their entire histories: Orlando (18), Memphis (14), Minnesota (14), Toronto (14), Charlotte (10) and New Orleans (nine).
All-time scoring leader
James leads all players in scoring in both the regular season (43,440 points) and the playoffs (8,289 points). He is the only player in NBA history with 50,000 combined points in the regular season and playoffs, currently at 51,729 (and counting).
In the playoffs, he’s scored in double figures a record 290 times, including a record 261 games with 20+ points, a record 123 games with 30+ points, as well as 29 games with 40+ points and one 50+ point game.
All-time leader in games played
Earlier this season, James became the NBA’s all-time leader in regular-season games played (now at 1,622 at season’s end). During that time, he’s played against 36% of all players in NBA history. He also leads all players in playoff games (292) and can reach the 300-game benchmark with a first-round series win.
All-time leader in field goals made
No player in NBA history has made more buckets than James in the regular season (15,961) or in the playoffs (8,229). Of those playoff buckets, 480 have come from beyond the arc, as James ranks third behind Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson for the most 3-pointers made in playoff history.
All-time leader in minutes played
James leads all players in minutes played in both the regular season (61,029) and playoffs (12,062). That is the equivalent of 42.38 days in the regular season and 8.38 days in the playoffs.
Top 5 all-time in assists
James is one of only four players in NBA history to rack up over 12,000 assists, with his 12,016 dimes trailing only Stockton, Jason Kidd and Chris Paul. In the playoffs, James’ 2,095 assists rank second only to Magic Johnson.
Top 5 all-time in triple-doubles
All-around play has always been at the core of James’ game, as evidenced by his 125 regular-season triple-doubles (fifth all-time) and his 28 playoff triple-doubles (second all-time, just two behind Johnson).
James also has the most such games in NBA history:
- 20+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists (971 games)
- 25+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists (729 games)
- 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ assists (426 games)
LeBron vs. everybody
James is the only player in NBA history to post 40 points or more in a game against all 30 teams. He is also one of only three players (along with Russell Westbrook and Luka Dončić) to post triple-doubles against all 30 NBA franchises.
An MVP Race fixture
With four Kia MVPs, LeBron is tied with Wilt Chamberlain for the third-most in NBA history behind Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan, and Bill Russell (five each). James has finished in the top five in MVP voting 14 times, including 13 consecutive years from 2006-18.
In addition to his four MVP wins, LeBron has four second-place finishes, tied with Larry Bird and Jerry West for the most runner-ups. James has top-two finishes in MVP voting across three different decades:
- 2000s: Second in 2005-06; first in 2008-09
- 2010s: First in 2009-10, 2011-12 & 2012-13; second in 2013-14 & 2017-18
- 2020s: Second in 2019-20
Most combined wins
No player has more wins across the regular season (1,048, second to Abdul-Jabbar) and the playoffs (an NBA record 184) than James’ 1,232 combined. James has more playoff wins than 21 active NBA franchises.
The only nine with more:
- Los Angeles Lakers (466)
- Boston Celtics (429)
- Philadelphia 76ers (250)
- San Antonio Spurs (222)
- Golden State Warriors (217)
- New York Knicks (210)
- Detroit Pistons (190)
- Chicago Bulls (187)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (186)
Most Playoff series wins
Over his first 18 playoff appearances, James racked up an NBA record 41 playoff series wins. He has a 15-3 record in the first round, 12-3 in the conference semifinals, 10-2 in the conference finals and 4-6 in the NBA Finals. James’ 41 series wins are more than 24 active franchises.
The only six with more:
- Los Angeles Lakers (112)
- Boston Celtics (94)
- Golden State Warriors (48)
- Philadelphia 76ers (48)
- San Antonio Spurs (45)
- New York Knicks (45)
Only one to win Finals MVP with 3 different teams
James has been named Finals MVP during each of his four championship runs, giving him the second-most Finals MVPs in league history behind Jordan’s six. James is the only player to win the award while playing for three different teams: the Miami Heat (2012, 2013), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020).
An NBA Finals staple
James has participated in 12.7% of all NBA Finals ever played (10 of 79). His 10 Finals appearances are tied with Abdul-Jabbar for the third most all-time, behind Russell (12) and Sam Jones (11). James’ run of eight straight Finals appearances (2011-2018) is only matched by the Russell-era Celtics teams of the 1950s and 1960s.
Only member of the 10K-10K-10K club
James is the only player in NBA history to tally at least 10K points, 10K rebounds, and 10K assists over the course of a career. No other player possesses the 10K-rebound and 10K-assist combo — Westbrook is the closest, but only reaches 9,000 rebounds.
James ends the 2025-26 season with career totals of 43,440 points, 12,095 rebounds, and 12,016 assists.
Averaging 20+ points in record 23rd season
Not only is James the first player to play 23 NBA seasons, but he’s also averaged at least 20 points in every one of those seasons, including a record 20-season run averaging 25+ points (2004-05 through 2023-24).
Adding in his points and rebounds, James has averaged at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists for 23 straight seasons. No other player has a streak longer than 10 seasons.
The double-digit scoring streak
James scored at least 10 points in 1,297 games from Jan. 6, 2007 to Dec. 1, 2025. His streak was longer than every NBA career except for these 25 players.
When the streak was broken on Dec. 4, 2025, James had eight points with the ball in his hands in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter in a tie game against the Raptors. Rather than looking to keep his scoring streak intact, James dished the game-winning assist to Rui Hachimura, who buried a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Most All-Star selections
Earlier this season, James earned his 22nd consecutive All-Star selection. That extended his record for the most selections ever, which began in his second NBA season (2004-05).
In addition to being the NBA’s all-time scoring leader in the regular season and playoffs, James also has the most points in NBA All-Star history with 449.
Most All-NBA selections
With a record 21 selections, James has earned All-NBA honors in more seasons than the entire careers of every NBA player in history, outside of these seven:
- LeBron James (23 seasons)
- Vince Carter (22)
- Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Robert Parish, Chris Paul, and Kevin Willis (21 each)
With 13 All-NBA First Team selections, James has two more than any player in league history, topping Kobe Bryant and Malone with 11 apiece.
Scoring as a youngster … and as a veteran
James is the only player in NBA history to score 40+ points as both a teenager and a 40-year-old.
- Teenager (3x): 41 points vs. Nets on March 27, 2004 (19 years, 88 days old), 43 points vs. Pistons on Nov. 24, 2004 (19y, 330d), 40 points at Hawks on Dec. 28, 2004 (19y, 364d)
- 40+ year-old (2x): 40 points at Blazers on Feb. 20, 2025 (40y, 52d), 42 points vs. Warriors on Feb. 6, 2025 (40y, 38d)
James is the only player in NBA history with multiple 40+ point games in his 40s. His three 40+ point games as a teenager are second all-time behind rookie Cooper Flagg (four).
