LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, stated after the Los Angeles Lakers' season-ending playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night that he has not decided whether he will return for a 24th NBA season. The 40-year-old forward scored 24 points in the game, but the Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
When asked if the game could have been his last, James said, 'I don't know. I haven't thought about it. I'll take some time to reflect.' The Lakers lost the series 4-1 to the Thunder, who are led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
James, who turned 40 in December 2024, is under contract with the Lakers for the 2026-27 season, holding a player option for that year. He has previously indicated he wants to play alongside his son, Bronny James, who was drafted by the Lakers in 2024. Bronny spent most of his rookie season in the G League.
The Lakers' season ended earlier than expected after a strong regular season finish. James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game this season, showing he remains an elite player despite his age.
