OAKLAND, Calif. -- LeBron James has become the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points.
James eclipsed the milestone Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors when he made a short jumper with 2:45 left in the second quarter to give him 20,001 career points. He needed 18 points entering the game to be the 38th NBA player to reach the mark.
The previous youngest to score 20,000 points was Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who got there when he was 29 years, 122 days old. James was 28 years, 17 days on Wednesday.
In the first quarter, James also found Dwyane Wade slicing down the lane for his 5,000th career assist. He is the 13th player with 20,000 points and 5,000 assists.
James, who made 11 of 20 shots from the floor, surpassed the scoring mark when he dribbled from the wing and pulled up in the lane to make an off-balance jumper.
James said he knew before the shot he was a point away from the milestone.
"The best part about it is I was in a rhythm, too, so it wasn't one of those forced shots," he said. "I was able to get the switch on David Lee and get to the elbow and make a shot. It's pretty cool."
"He probably would've had it sooner if he didn't decide to come down here to South Beach," Wade said. "It's just a testament to him as a player."
James already was the youngest player in league history to win Rookie of the Year, record a triple-double, score 1,000 points, score 10,000 points and win MVP honors at an All-Star Game. Only Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain (29 years, 134 days) and Michael Jordan (29 years, 326 days) reached the latest milestone before turning 30.
James also is the 13th player with 20,000 points and 5,000 assists. The only active players to reach both marks are Bryant and Boston's Kevin Garnett.
"That's a big-time moment," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He's a special guy. He's a special player. He's a once-in-a-generational type of player."
