Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors has tied Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James for the most 40-point games in NBA history after a player turns 35 years old. The milestone came as the 76ers maintained their hot start with a 114-109 road win over the Indiana Pacers on October 28, 2026, improving their record to 4-1.
Curry scored 44 points in 32 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That total pulls him even with LeBron James, who also has 15 such games. Michael Jordan, now retired, sits in third place with 12. Active players Kevin Durant (9) and James Harden (6) follow on the list.
This record chase is still very much alive. Both Curry and James are active, so the lead could swap hands multiple times. Curry, whose team relies heavily on his scoring, has a clear path to breaking the tie. James last scored 40 points in February 2025 while with the Los Angeles Lakers.
LeBron's role with the Sixers is different from Curry's in Golden State. Philadelphia's starting lineup features four recent All-Stars, which lessens the need for him to be a high-volume scorer. In the three games before the Pacers win, James averaged 16.3 points.
For the 2026-27 season, he's contributing across the board with averages of 15.5 points, 6.8 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game. His all-around play is a major reason for the team's strong 4-1 start. If his scoring average dips below 20 points per game, it would be the first time in his legendary career, which began in 2003.
The Sixers are riding a wave of positive form. Their recent results show a 4-1 record over their last five games, with the sequence being a win over the New York Knicks (106-100 on Oct 20), a victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers (114-106 on Oct 22), a big win versus the Milwaukee Bucks (127-116 on Oct 24), a loss to the Detroit Pistons (106-93 on Oct 25), and the recent triumph in Indiana.
Next up is a quick rematch with the New York Knicks, this time at home on October 30, 2026. The team will look to continue its winning ways and protect its home court.
While Curry chases the individual record, James and the 76ers are focused on team success. Their early-season performance, including that solid road win in Indianapolis, suggests they have the depth and balance to be a serious contender. The race for the age-35 scoring record adds an intriguing subplot between two of the game's all-time greats.
