National Basketball Association

LeBron James just surpassed Kobe Bryant while reaching another milestone

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:44 p.m. ET

Andrew Lynch

As the Cleveland Cavaliers moved to 7-1 this season with a win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night, LeBron James moved past Kobe Bryant for another NBA milestone.

LeBron became the youngest player in NBA history to score 27,000 points (31 years, 317 days). He surpassed Kobe's previous mark of 32 years, 160 days. Kobe, in turn, broke Wilt Chamberlain's previous record back in Jan. 2011. Even more impressive? LeBron (18 years, nine months, 30 days) was older than Kobe (18 years, two months, 11 days) when they made their respective NBA debuts.

This is kind of an ongoing battle between the two, whether the King is aware of it or not. Early last season, LeBron surpassed Kobe as the youngest player to score 25,000 points in NBA history, as well.

And to think, LeBron says he doesn't really consider himself a scorer.

How did the Cavs celebrate LeBron's momentous occasion? By dousing him with water, naturally (via ESPN.com):

Not only did his teammates celebrate James, but they tricked him, leading the three-time champion to believe that Lue had reached a coaching feat they were about to recognize and then turning their attention toward James and dousing him from water bottles while they cheered for his scoring spree.

“I mean, that’s special. I don’t think that’s lost on any of us how special that is and how special a player LeBron is,” Love said. “It was definitely fun and it was definitely unexpected. I think he might have gotten all of his clothes wet and his phone wet. He said he was cool with it. But he got all his (expletive) wet.”

Of course, it's important to remember that LeBron and Kobe were helped by the fact that they went straight to the NBA out of high school. Chamberlain, in fact, holds the record for reaching essentially every scoring milestone in the fewest number of games played, and he probably always will. Unless, that is, the league does one day add a 4-point line. Then, all bets are off.

LeBron became the 10th player - and youngest ever - to surpass 27,000 career points! pic.twitter.com/9vaE8NywnU
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) November 12, 2016

.@kevinlove on @KingJames accomplishment: "27,000 points, that's special. I don't think that's lost on any of us."#StriveForGreatness pic.twitter.com/mEXPIm5F5l
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 12, 2016