標籤: James

LeBron James and his future with the Los Angeles Lakers could be one of the biggest stories in the NBA this offseason. While James has enjoyed his time in Los Angeles, he also wants to win another championship, and retirement could also be on the table. So, could the four-time NBA champion retire this offseason?

All indications are that James will play in the NBA next season during the 2025-26 campaign, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania on The Pat McAfee Show. The expectation is that James will return for at least another year, but that decision has not been fully made yet.

If James returns for another NBA season, which organizations would be the best landing spots in free agency?

Possible destinations for LeBron James in NBA free agency

James could return to the Lakers for another NBA season, but would they be his best destination? The 41-year-old star wants to win another championship, and it’s unclear whether Los Angeles can make the steps necessary to accomplish that goal. If not, where else could James go this summer?

The Cleveland Cavaliers could be in for a comeback. The Cavaliers made it to the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals, and the story is not over yet. Cleveland may be on the verge of making another NBA Finals, but this is its first without James. If the Cavaliers fall short, James could return to Cleveland for one more season and chase a storybook ending.

If Cleveland doesn’t want a reunion or the money doesn’t work out, James could join the Golden State Warriors instead. The NBA veteran will be paired with Stephen Curry as Golden State is built around the dynamic duo. The Warriors brought back head coach Steve Kerr, and the next few years could be the “last dance” for this core.

Finally, what about the Los Angeles Clippers? James will stay in Los Angeles, and if he feels the Clippers have a better chance of winning, jumping ship could be a good option. This may be the most unexpected outcome, but staying in Los Angeles may be a priority for James.

As of now, James is expected to return for another NBA season, but his next team is uncertain.

READ MORE: Inside LeBron James’ locker room tension with Los Angeles Lakers

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

LeBron James is once again poised to be the top player available in NBA free agency this offseason. While a return to the Los Angeles Lakers is much discussed, there is reportedly mutual interest with the Eastern Conference contender.

The BigPlay Scoop B. of Cleveland. According to Robinson, there is “mutual interest” between LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, money is going to be a real factor in this process.

RELATED: Executive details potential win-win contract for Lakers, LeBron

“I know the Cavs, some members of their roster have had conversations with LeBron about a possible pairing.”

Brandon “Scoop B.” Robinson on interest between Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James

Robinson also mentioned a third team that could potentially be in the mix for LeBron. Unsurprisingly, joining the NBA rumors over the past few days, the New York Knicks are being viewed as another possible option for the future Hall of Famer.

There is a complicating factor here for the Knicks and Cavaliers. This also applies to the two teams that were previously linked to LeBron, the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets, giving the Lakers a bigger chance to re-sign him.

Both the Cavaliers and Knicks are limited to offering LeBron far less than the Lakers can put on the table. While the Lakers have his Bird rights, Cleveland and New York are above the luxury tax and will have to hope the four-time NBA champion is willing to play at a steep discount.

Read more: Executives predict potential cost of Austin Reeves contract

The Cavaliers could also make a sign-and-trade to acquire LeBron, but that would require the Lakers to trade center Jarrett Allen. This again highlights why Los Angeles is still the favorite to sign him.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Cleveland Cavaliers took a gamble with the James Harden trade during the season, hoping it would propel them into the NBA playoffs. Heading into the elimination game, Harden’s future in Cleveland seems predetermined.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported this weekend that even if they bow out in Game 7 on Sunday, “there is an understanding” that the Cavaliers will work out a new contract with Harden.

Cleveland is reportedly already “happy” with the replacement of Darius Garland in favor of Harden. The former NBA MVP provides Cleveland with the lead guard they’ve been looking to pair with Donovan Mitchell, and he’s seen enough of that to commit to him long-term.

Harden has a $42.317 million player option for the 2026–27 season, which he is expected to decline. However, while he may explore his options in NBA free agency, the Cavaliers’ situation appears to be the best fit for him.

For now, it seems like there is an unwritten agreement between both sides that Harden will be taken care of this summer. He is set to get a multi-year extension that will likely include a player option, potentially also allowing him to hit the open market again next summer.

So, no matter what happens in Game 7 on Sunday night against the Detroit Pistons, the Cavaliers are ready to move forward with the guard tandem of Harden and Mitchell. It’s less clear whether both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley will be part of the organization’s plans if they are waived again before the Eastern Conference Finals.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

A rival executive sabotaged the new contract the Los Angeles Lakers were supposed to give LeBron James, and it looks like it’s a win-win deal for both parties.

On Monday, the Lakers saw a disappointing end to their 2025-26 campaign as the Oklahoma City Thunder completed a stunning four-game sweep of the NBA Playoffs semifinals. Following their 115–110 loss at home, speculation immediately began regarding James’ future.

Over the next few weeks, the 22-time All-Star will have to decide if he wants to play another season in the NBA. If he returns for a 24th season, while other teams like the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers would be interested, a return to the Lakers makes the most sense.

“It’s hard to fit him anywhere,” a West scout told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps on Friday. But James won’t come cheap, and the prospect of them trading a veteran to capture a title doesn’t make business sense for them. An East team strategist also told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, “According to our metrics, he remains a top-25 player in the league, and if it weren’t for his age, we probably would have rated him at the max player level.”

Should the LA Lakers give LeBron James a one-year deal with a no-trade clause?

So what type of deal should the Lakers offer that makes sense for them in the short and long term, but doesn’t offend one of the greatest players of all-time, who is still playing at an All-Star level at age 41? An executive from an Eastern Conference team has an idea.

James earned more than $52 million this season. Still, with the team willing to give Austin Reeves a big pay raise in a new long-term deal this summer, it doesn’t make sense to pay him that amount again. Would the four-time MVP be willing to consider a contract in the $35 to $40 million range? Perhaps.

One-year James deal makes long-term sense for LA Lakers

While he wants to chase championships, James is a smart businessman and won’t waste his value to benefit a billion-dollar NBA club. The Lakers are one of the few competitive teams that can offer him the money he’s worth.

Additionally, LA showed over the final two months of the season that they can be a threat in the West if James, Reaves and Luka Doncic are healthy. If the front office can better complement the roster around him, James has a chance to chase a title in the city he wants to live in, and closer to market value.

For the Lakers, it makes sense to keep James for another season. As mentioned, they will be a very good team again. And if this is his final year, the club could pocket a hefty sum from a pseudo-retirement tour. But at the same time, re-signing him and waiting for the summer of 2027 makes long-term sense.

Big stars like Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kyrie Irving could be available next summer.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, and the future is now uncertain. James is set to become a free agent in June, but he is also considering retirement. However, is the four-time NBA champion’s return to Los Angeles more complicated than it seems?

Below, we’ll dive into the locker room tension between James and the Lakers during the 2025-26 NBA season.

LeBron James feels the Los Angeles Lakers took him for granted

James has been with Los Angeles for the past eight seasons and helped lead the organization to an NBA championship in 2020. The 41-year-old forward is still one of the best players in the NBA, but his role has changed over the past year and a half. Now, rumors of tension between James and the organization are emerging.

On March 31, James experienced “another example” of the Lakers “taking him for granted”, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. Los Angeles defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers by 14 points, as James earned his 1,229th win. James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most wins by any player in NBA history.

That same night, Luka Doncic reached 15,000 career points, while Rui Hachimura reached 5,000. Los Angeles head coach JJ Redick acknowledged all the accomplishments before Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka addressed the team.

According to McMenamin, Pelinka gave the game ball to Redick, who had just earned his 100th coaching win, instead of James, Doncic or Hachimura. This did not please the four-time NBA champion, as he saw it as “another example of the Lakers taking him for granted.” The ESPN insider also said that James’ desire to play a supporting offensive role to Doncic and Austin Reaves further heightened his sentiments.

Tension has increased with James recently; However, will it be enough for him to leave Los Angeles?

Will LeBron James return to the Los Angeles Lakers?

If James does not retire he will be free to choose his next NBA team and the Lakers will be one of the favorite teams. The 41-year-old star has built a brand in Los Angeles and continues to play at a high level. However, does James want to return to the Lakers for another season?

A source close to James told ESPN he thinks a return to Los Angeles is up to the Lakers, as McMenamin reported. The person continued and said that James “loves” living in Los Angeles. If he does not retire, it would be best for both parties to continue this partnership.

James could leave the Lakers and go to a different team like the Golden State Warriors or Los Angeles Clippers, but would that really give him a better chance to win a fifth championship? Los Angeles was very strong before Doncic’s injury, and the Lakers should focus on building a championship team with James still there.

There will be much debate over what James should do after the 2025-26 NBA season. Retirement is on the table, but James is still playing at a high enough level to make a difference for a championship team. If so, it comes down to where James wants to finish his NBA career.

For now, the Lakers seem to have James as their best option to win the championship.

READ MORE: LeBron James post-sweep bombshell: Retirement, comeback, or something else?

Austin Konensky is a writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and more. His work can also…more about Austin Konensky

Nick Voltmead’s future newcastle united ‘Completely unsure’ as he is unhappy with his playing time at St James’ Park.

sky sport germany report That the striker is ‘currently very unhappy’ with his playing time at Newcastle after a disappointing few months in the North East.

From hero to zero in newcastle

Just a few months ago, Nick Woltemade was considered the brightest star among Germany’s striker options. After impressing at VfB Stuttgart, he was eyed by Bayern Munich.

Instead, he joined Newcastle United in the summer on an €80m deal. And the early signs were positive as he made an immediate impact under Eddie Howe.

He was also a strong player in the Germany team under Julian Nagelsmann, scoring five goals in six qualifiers between September and November. According to Sky, six months later, ‘enthusiasm in Germany has largely faded.’

The country is watching as Voltmead and Newcastle are ‘in crisis’. Voldemort has failed to score in the Premier League this season and has only managed 25 minutes of playing time. He spent the win over Brighton sitting on the bench.

According to Sky, Voltamede is ‘very dissatisfied’ with his playing time. This leaves his future at St James’ Park this summer ‘completely uncertain’.

The 24-year-old plans to focus solely on the World Cup and then take a full decision on his future. There are no plans at the moment to move to Bayern Munich.

summer transfer is hard

The problem for both Newcastle and Nick Voltamede is the fee the Magpies paid last summer. This matter was greatly increased by the departure of Alexander Isak to Liverpool at the last moment.

Now, he is valued at €65m, but there are few clubs in European football who would pay that amount. Voltameda may not have been a flop, but it wasn’t a complete success either.

Newcastle will either have to be sold at a very low priceWhich is unlikely, otherwise the striker would need to be forced out. It certainly wouldn’t end well after Isak’s actions last summer.

This leaves both of them in an awkward position. Even if Newcastle and Wolves wanted to go their separate ways, doing so in reality is a difficult prospect.

The Arizona Cardinals delivered the first mini-surprise of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Notre Dame star running back Jeremiah Love with the third overall pick in the first round. While love can help overcome crime without recognition, it also means James Connor’s days in Arizona are numbered.

Now that Love is the undisputed RB1 in Arizona, let’s evaluate some potential trade destinations for Connor, who is a two-time Pro Bowler and has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons to his name.

los angeles chargers

The Chargers believe they have their RB of the future in last year’s first-round selection Omarion Hampton. They also brought in a fast bowler in the form of Keaton Mitchell. Still, a Harbaugh team can never have enough running backs, and Connor is a proven bruiser who is one of the NFL’s toughest players. It will fit perfectly with the bolt.

jacksonville jaguars

The Jaguars let Travis Etienne sign with the Saints this offseason, and 2025 fourth-round pick Fearshul Tuten may not be ready for a major role. Hopefully the Jaguars add a RB in the next two days, but if not, why not consider trading a draft pick on day three for a proven stopgap like Connor? He is just a year removed from a 1,094-yard, 8 TD season. At the very least, it will buy the Jaguars longer to find a long-term solution.

las vegas raiders

Ashton Jeanty is the future of the Raiders. Still, after a tough rookie season, Las Vegas likely wants to boost the competition in their RB room. Jeanty will undoubtedly still be the starter, but having a veteran like Connor, who has had to work tirelessly to earn and keep his role, could be invaluable to a young athlete like Jeanty.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders Final 7-Round Mock Draft

dallas cowboys

Javonte Williams is the Cowboys’ lead back after a 1,200-yard season. But after that? There are some deep questions in Dallas. The Cowboys have four other guys on the roster, clearly trying to find a reliable backup and potentially a future RB1. Connor won’t be the RB1 of the future, but he will erase any doubt about the Cowboys having enough stuff to get the job done in the RB room.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

LeBron James has been in the headlines recently as his NBA future continues to be debated. Several teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors have been mentioned as possible destinations if he leaves the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Memphis Grizzlies could possibly be removed from the list.

James made his YouTube golf debut with Bob Does Sports on Thursday afternoon and was asked about playing for the Grizzlies. The four-time NBA champion not only rejected the idea, but he asked the Grizzlies to move to Nashville.

“You think I want to do this [expletive] at a random in memphis [expletive] Thursday?” James said. “I’m not the first person in the NBA to talk about this. We’re all like, ‘You guys have to move on.’ Just go to Nashville…their only chance would be 2003 if they won the lottery and I’d probably pull an Eli Manning and not come.”

James is not the first NBA player to mention the Grizzlies moving to Nashville. In March, Golden State forward Draymond Green called for the Grizzlies to relocate to Nashville, sparking conversation among fans about this possibility. In fact, the city has not been mentioned as a possible expansion destination.

The NBA has circled Las Vegas and Seattle as two expansion sites. Seattle lost the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in 2008, while Las Vegas never got a professional NBA organization. The city has hosted the NBA Summer League and the NBA Cup in the past, so this isn’t a surprising development.

Nashville would likely require an existing organization to relocate to the city. If it were up to James and Green, the Grizzlies would relocate from Memphis to Nashville.

READ MORE: New NBA rumor reveals surprising LeBron James summer suitor

Austin Konensky is a sports writer at SportsNut, covering the NHL, MLB, NFL, NBA and college football. His work…More about Austin Konensky

A new rumor offers a surprising but exciting potential suitor to LeBron James on the free agent market this summer.

At 41 years old, it is not guaranteed that James will return for a 24th NBA season this fall. It’s also possible he’ll retire if the Los Angeles Lakers surprisingly win the NBA championship this spring. Yet despite his recent strong play, most people don’t expect that to happen, so the 22-time All-Star has some big decisions to make this summer.

After this season, James will become a free agent. It’s very possible he returns to LA next season for his retirement tour. And in a new report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin and Tim Bontemps, the Lakers are the favorites to retain his services for several reasons. However, NBA insiders also revealed a secret horse team to watch in the potential free agent sweepstakes.

Insiders claimed, “An interesting option brought up to ESPN by multiple sources was Denver, where a combination of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic could make for something extremely intriguing.” “‘Who is the only guy at his level in the league from a basketball IQ standpoint?’ a Western executive asked. ‘Go out there and team up with that guy.’

The Denver Nuggets would have a legitimate chance to sign LeBron James this summer

McMenamin and Bontemps said James’ move to the Denver Nuggets might appeal to the Lakers because it would open the door to a sign-and-trade opportunity that could bring LA players such as Peyton Watson or veteran forward Cameron Johnson. Plus, he explains why visiting the Mile High City might appeal to LeBron James.

“Denver pursued James in 2018 after he left Cleveland as a free agent, led by Nuggets president Josh Kroenke, who is his friend. The Nuggets have since added Jared Dudley, one of James’ friends, to the coaching staff,” he wrote. “After teaming up on the Lakers from 2019 to 2021, their relationship remains so strong that Dudley went to the visitors’ locker room at Ball Arena to see James after L.A. beat Denver on Jan. 20.”

The idea of ​​James and Jokic teaming up, even for one season, could lead to a very entertaining season in Denver. Joining the Nuggets would show that he really wants to win another championship. However, it would certainly be doubtful that he would take a retirement tour of Hollywood to play in Denver.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

LOS ANGELES — For their debut, LeBron and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together on the same NBA team.

For their second act, LeBron and Bronny James recorded the first father-son assist.

“Definitely a good moment for us and most importantly our family,” LeBron James said.

Just before the Lakers’ 116-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday became official, LeBron passed to Bronny for an open 3 with 7:52 left in the second quarter. This sequence continued like this. When Brown ran the offense, LeBron set a screen and received an entry pass near the top of the key. Immediately after drawing a double team, LeBron passed the ball to an open Bronny behind the arc. Bronny made a small pump fake before pulling the tray and hammering a nail into it.

LeBron and Bronny first shared the court together during the Lakers’ season opener against Minnesota in the 2024–25 season. But both LeBron and Bronny viewed their latest moment as just as important after suffering a cardiac arrest scare ahead of his junior season at USC (summer 2023) and spending most of his rookie and sophomore seasons in the G League. Bronny had only three points on 1-for-2 shooting in four minutes off the bench, but he played with his father the entire time. It came two days after Bronny scored four points on 2-for-4 shooting in 13 minutes off the bench in Wednesday’s win at Indiana.

LeBron said of Bronny, “Just getting back to where it was before the incident. He’s always been able to shoot the ball.” “He shot the ball at a pretty high level throughout his years playing. But just now getting the confidence back in his strength and his air and everything. Everything is coming back to where it was before the event. I’m not surprised to see him shoot the ball at a high clip.”

Neither did the Lakers nor Brown, who has received strong praise for his strong work ethic, affable personality and coachability. Bronny, who was drafted by the Lakers at No. 55 overall in 2024, said he “has become more comfortable shooting it without thinking.”

“I’ve wanted to play basketball my whole life,” Bronny said. “At one point I knew this would be my job. It’s a dream come true. It’s a privilege to be able to play basketball for a job. I love every single second of it. My teammates embrace me. I’m best friends with all my teammates and coaches. I’m happy to be here with them.”

Bronny was also happy to make history with LeBron nearly 12 years after playing face-to-face in his former home in Miami. Then, Bronny said LeBron broke a backboard.

Bronny said, “Special moment with both of us.” “There’s a lot of work going on.”

NBA Insider for Sportsknot. Former NBA writer for NBA.com and USA TODAY, Warriors writer for The Mercury News, Lakers… More about Mark Medina

LOS ANGELES — For their debut, LeBron and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to play together on the same NBA team.

For their second act, LeBron and Bronny James recorded the first father-son assist.

“Definitely a good moment for us and most importantly our family,” LeBron James said.

Just before the Lakers’ 116-99 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday became official, LeBron passed to Bronny for an open 3 with 7:52 left in the second quarter. This sequence continued like this. When Brown ran the offense, LeBron set a screen and received an entry pass near the top of the key. Immediately after drawing a double team, LeBron passed the ball to an open Bronny behind the arc. Bronny made a small pump fake before pulling the tray and hammering a nail into it.

LeBron and Bronny first shared the court together during the Lakers’ season opener against Minnesota in the 2024–25 season. But both LeBron and Bronny viewed their latest moment as just as important after suffering a cardiac arrest scare ahead of his junior season at USC (summer 2023) and spending most of his rookie and sophomore seasons in the G League. Bronny had only three points on 1-for-2 shooting in four minutes off the bench, but he played with his father the entire time. It came two days after Bronny scored four points on 2-for-4 shooting in 13 minutes off the bench in Wednesday’s win at Indiana.

LeBron said of Bronny, “Just getting back to where it was before the incident. He’s always been able to shoot the ball.” “He shot the ball at a pretty high level throughout his years playing. But just now getting the confidence back in his strength and his air and everything. Everything is coming back to where it was before the event. I’m not surprised to see him shoot the ball at a high clip.”

Neither did the Lakers nor Brown, who has received strong praise for his strong work ethic, affable personality and coachability. Bronny, who was drafted by the Lakers at No. 55 overall in 2024, said he “has become more comfortable shooting it without thinking.”

“I’ve wanted to play basketball my whole life,” Bronny said. “At one point I knew this would be my job. It’s a dream come true. It’s a privilege to be able to play basketball for a job. I love every single second of it. My teammates embrace me. I’m best friends with all my teammates and coaches. I’m happy to be here with them.”

Bronny was also happy to make history with LeBron nearly 12 years after playing face-to-face in his former home in Miami. Then, Bronny said LeBron broke a backboard.

Bronny said, “Special moment with both of us.” “There’s a lot of work going on.”

NBA Insider for Sportsknot. Former NBA writer for NBA.com and USA TODAY, Warriors writer for The Mercury News, Lakers… More about Mark Medina

The Los Angeles Lakers have been performing great during this stage of the season, and with the postseason slowly approaching the timing is perfect. They got another win recently when they defeated the Indiana Pacers 137-130, and while Luka Doncic stole the show with his 43 points, it was also helped by contributions from other players.

One of those players was Bronny James, who played 13 minutes in the game with Marcus Smart out due to injury. He may have only finished with 4 points, but what he did on the other side of the ball was impressive.

“Felt like this was a game we really needed him,” JJ Redick said, via Dan Woik of The Athletic. “It was a game that, you know, his athleticism, his defense…we saw it last year, and we’re seeing it again this year, just his development as a player.”

Not only was James able to get impressive minutes, but he did so with his father on the court.

“Especially knowing the path, you know, the road…,” LeBron James said. “So, just proud of him. I’m very proud of him. And he’s his. He’s his.”

Bronny has shown these past two seasons that he can come in and be an energy player for the Lakers, and he has done that every time he steps on the floor. Getting reps in the G League has also helped Bronny in the process, so when he steps onto an NBA floor, it doesn’t feel like he’s missed a beat.

“I like to go out there and play my game and be as aggressive as I can, so that when I get these minutes out here, I’m comfortable playing with Luka, Braun, AR and everybody else,” Bronny said.

With only a few games left in the season, it will be interesting to see if Bronny can make an impact going forward.

The Los Angeles Lakers are just a few weeks away from the playoffs and have won nine of their last 10 games, including a 137-130 win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Nearly everyone on the team is playing at a high level, led undoubtedly by Luka Doncic, who has averaged close to 40 points in his last 10 contests, LeBron James and Austin Reaves.

One player who is benefiting from the Lakers’ surge is Bronny James. He may not be able to perform in big numbers like his teammates, but his confidence in his game has increased.

The young James said his stint with the South Bay Lakers in the G League has been a big factor continual improvementAs the OC Register’s Benjamin Royer reports.

“I like to go out there and play my game and be as aggressive as I can, so that when I get these minutes here, I’m comfortable playing with Luka, Braun, AR and everybody else,” the 21-year-old guard said.

I asked Bronny James about G’s travels and his goal-oriented process with South Bay:

“I like to go out there and play my game and be as aggressive as I can be, so that when I get some minutes here, I’m comfortable playing with Luka, Braun, AR and everyone else.” https://t.co/ENGUPpFbBv

– Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) 26 March 2026

In 12 games with South Bay, he averaged 15.3 points on 54.6% shooting, 3.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.3 steals.

Lakers coach JJ Redick will be the first to point out that young James, who is on a two-way contract, has been playing remarkably well recently.

“He has a lot of confidence right now,” Redick said in a video posted by Royer.

“He’s had a great season in South Bay. He’s been the best player every time in our stay-ready games the last three or four weeks. There’s a bounce in his step right now. It comes from that confidence.”

The second-year playmaker, whose athleticism and defensive skills also earned praise from Redick, contributed four points, one rebound, one assist, two steals and one block in 13 minutes off the bench against the Pacers.

The resentment toward Bronny James appears to be subsiding in his second year with the Los Angeles Lakers. But that doesn’t mean he won’t continue to prove himself.

Many felt that James did not deserve to be in the NBA when the Lakers drafted him in the second round in 2024, saying that he was given the position due to being the son of LeBron James.

The criticism was wrong. The noise became louder. But little James put his head down and got to work. He has shown improvement in his second year, especially in his confidence, and he has not gone unnoticed by the Lakers.

Spectrum Sportsnet’s Mike Trudell reports that Los Angeles coach JJ Redick praised the 21-year-old guard after Wednesday’s win over the Indiana Pacers.

Redick said, “He’s gotten a lot better. Our staff has a lot of confidence in him. It felt like this was a game where we really needed him.”

Trudell said Redick cited James’ “defense, athleticism and increased confidence in his shot.”

The Lakers improved to 47–26 by defeating the Pacers 137–130 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They are 9-1 in their last 10 games.

The young James contributed four points, including a thunderous dunk, one rebound, one assist, two steals and a block in 13 minutes off the bench.

Although he has yet to earn consistent playing time, the former McDonald’s All-American has shown that he can perform, especially on the defensive end, when given adequate opportunities.

It will be difficult for him to step away from his great father’s shadow, but as long as the Lakers continue to be successful, he will happily play his part and leave the haters crying.

The Los Angeles Lakers look to get back to their winning ways in Wednesday night’s game with the Indiana Pacers. The Lakers had their nine-game winning streak snapped by the East-leading Detroit Pistons, 113-110, on Monday night.

Sitting at 16-56, the Pacers gave a great opportunity to make a comeback. Los Angeles took advantage of that opportunity and took a 29-point lead in the third quarter. Despite a late rally, Los Angeles prevailed 137–130.

In the win, several bench players received considerable time on the field. This includes LeBron James, son, Bronny James.

In 13 minutes of action, the young James scored four points. One of his two baskets was a rim-rattling dunk. James cut down the baseline and caught a no-look bounce pass from Luke Kennard and went up for a one-handed layup.

Later, James wagging his tongue Towards the Indiana crowd.

Bronny is trolling the Pacers after the dunk 😭 pic.twitter.com/u0aNHYx5yH

– BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) 26 March 2026

It was far from the only highlight of the night from the Lakers.

Luka Doncic led all scorers with 43 points on 15-30 shooting. He added seven assists and six rebounds in the win.

Bronny’s father LeBron also had a good all-round game. He fell just short of another triple-double, scoring 23 points with nine rebounds and nine assists.

Los Angeles improved to 47–26 on the season. They are two games ahead of the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 seed in the abbreviated Western Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets are close behind, but the Lakers hold the tie-breaker over all three teams.

Tyrese Maxey is currently out of commission for the Philadelphia 76ers due to a finger injury that will keep him out for at least three weeks.

The timing has been rough, as 76 players are risking their lives to avoid the play-in tournament. Apart from Maxi, Joel Embiid, Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr. are also out.

While he is recovering from his finger injury, Maxi took time as a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”, where he talked about playing in the NBA and not being afraid to go up against superstars like LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Maxi and James, who are both managed by Klutch Sports, have developed a close relationship after working out together in the offseason. Maxi, 25, shared funny story The least that can be said about this is that Fallon was very happy with it.

Maxi said, “He (James) is really someone who became close to me. In the summer, we have this little thing where we work out at six in the morning.”

“So the first time it happened, I got there at 5:45, 5:40. I was there before him. Then he gets there at 5:30, and I tried to get there at 5:15. Last time, he got there at five. When I got there, he was all in sweat. I said, ‘You know what, you won.’

.@TyreseMaxey And @KingJames Try to outdo each other to see who gets to the workout first🤣 #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/HXtJoQhvWg

– The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) 25 March 2026

James, 41, has a renowned work ethic. The proof is clear: their longevity. There are many stories about how the four-time MVP takes care of his body.

Working with young guys like Maxey and Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks probably gives James extra motivation moving forward.

It has also benefited Maxi, who is enjoying another stellar campaign and has received his second nod to the All-Star Game. He is also on track to be named to the All-NBA team for the first time.

As the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season begins to wind down, there are questions as to who will join James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the Cavs’ starting lineup when the playoffs arrive. Due to injuries and sporadic player availability, it has been difficult to establish consistency in the five matches before the start of the month, making decisions not easy.

However, as Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson has mentioned in the past, that’s why he has the job he does. Ultimately it is up to him and his staff to make the difficult decisions, such as who starts, who ends, and how many people play.

“We probably have to get to nine,” Atkinson said last week in Milwaukee. “I’m still evaluating who fits in and who will lead the way in terms of coming into the rotation. I still think we haven’t made a clear decision on who that nine is.

“But it’s hard to play 10. You might be able to do it early in the first round; you might be able to do it in the early games. But eventually, you get to nine or eight. We know that, but I still think we have to evaluate, especially our wings. We have a lot of wings right now.”

Realistically, the Cavs can pick whoever they want since they have a number of similar swingmen.

Here are the most likely candidates for that final starting spot.

dean wade

Atkinson likes the defensive versatility that Dean Wade brings to the table and, in turn, has rewarded him with the job when healthy. It makes sense because he’s a 6-foot-9, 230-pound underutilized player who can knock down open threes and rebound. People get frustrated when he doesn’t make shots and even more excited when he turns down shots, but the reality is that the veteran forward simply needs to be a threat on the perimeter of space and get closeouts.

The Cavs don’t need to be a big scorer; Just look at who she’s on the floor with. Don’t let the box score determine your opinion of Wade. As long as he’s doing his job – defending, breaking the glass, and making the perfect next play, which involves shooting the ball – then he’s the man for the job. He, Mobley and Allen form a trio that makes it difficult for any opponent to consistently counter, which makes sense considering they have been playing together for five seasons.

Furthermore, if the decision is made to send him to the bench, Wade isn’t exactly a prolific scorer to promote him in the way most sixth men typically do.

From the beginning, Atkinson has made it clear that Max Strus’ postseason berth is a lock. In four games, despite the ban, he has averaged 23.5 minutes per contest. While Strus’ season debut is doing the heavy lifting, he is averaging 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists on .440/.409/1.000 shooting splits. Similar to Wade, the 29-year-old doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective on a nightly basis for Cleveland.

However, Strus can handle the rock, and he has proven capable in the past with the Cavs’ rolling bigs in half-court scenarios. He’s a pocket passer with Allen in the two-man game, and Atkinson thinks there’s still potential with Mobley in dribble handoffs, as he did with Bam Adebayo in Miami. Strus has an uncanny knack for hitting contested threes, being in the right place at the right time for a backtap, and saving possessions with a quick game.

He gives Cleveland solid strength at third, and he has been a (healthy) everyday starter for Cleveland since signing as a free agent in the summer of 2023. If he is physically prepared and ready for the tough conditions of the postseason after this disappointing injury, he will be a big factor.

jaylon tyson

Switching roles isn’t as easy as Jaylon Tyson has had to do this season, but he’s handled it with ease. The burden from being one of the most important players on your team to playing less than 20 minutes in three consecutive games takes a toll on the mind. And yet, the second-year rising star is doing exactly what he’s asked in a specific role. Tyson was rewarded for that on Thursday night in Chicago, as he had an 18-point, 11-rebound performance before suffering a toe injury.

Injury aside, is it fair to ask Tyson, who emerged as a secondary playmaker in short roles next to Mitchell and Co. in the first half of the season, to do a similar job to Wade or Strus? It feels like it puts him in a kind of box, unlike what we saw in the first months. If he’s in the starting five, will he be limited to a low-usage role player, or will Cleveland free him up to the max be that? There can be no questioning his commitment as an individual defender or the attitude he brings to the field, although he has been self-critical about losing the ball to opponents on backdoor cuts.

Understanding that people have to pay their dues, it looks like Tyson has earned his money and shouldn’t be going back. If coming off the bench allows him to thrive in a looser unit as a facilitator and scorer, so be it. It’s admirable that he’s willing to be what the team wants him to be, but perhaps coaches should think twice about what they’re asking of him.

keon ellis

Keon Ellis made his first two starts for the Cavs in mid-March against the Dallas Mavericks. As a player he’s “still discovering,” Atkinson has a real passion for how he works in the pocket with his float game. Additionally, Ellis has shown a burst of driving from close to the perimeter, and Cleveland has been pleased with the increase in his offensive rebounding rate since his arrival.

It’s hard to argue against Ellis in terms of his defensive ability. He sees the dramas before they happen, acts on them, and resorts to alcohol and sleep on a nightly basis. Atkinson doesn’t mind playing him, and he also won’t hesitate to toss him to the 4 in small-ball sets. Ellis makes a lot of logical sense as a starter due to his low usage and patience.

Sam Merrill

It’s been a career season for Sam Merrill, who is averaging 12.8 points on a career-high 66.2% true shooting. He has started in 33 of his 45 appearances this season, and has had an almost even split between playing at 2 and 3. Merrill is an off-ball threat with consistent movement. His processing speed has improved tremendously with more reps, allowing him to establish chemistry with Harden and consistently thrive next to Mitchell.

Always on the floor, Merrill will leave his body to screen and defend despite being hunted. He will take the charge and ensure that he is present to contest the elections. It appears he is better suited at shooting guard because he is not forced to guard long, tall wings, but he is a starting-caliber player in this league. You can’t just look at Meryl one-dimensionally anymore. He will force you to pay off the dribble, get to the basket with cuts and take advantage of any piece of space.

However, who is the right Cavs fit?

The Cavs have an abundance of talent in the wing room for the modern league. Due to the length and strength of his potential opponents at 3, Wade makes the most logical sense. Last year was the only time Cleveland was able to field a healthy version of him in the postseason, and he was 10th in the rotation in the first round. Due to untimely injuries, the team had to throw him into the fire when the Indiana Pacers series was coming to an end.

Wade played only one postseason game with Mobley and Allen, lasting four minutes. One of the team’s most effective trio over the past few years has barely made an appearance due to bad luck and lack of opportunity. For example, Wade, Mobley and Allen shared the floor for 249 minutes last season.

This year, in 163 minutes, the combination has a net rating of plus-17.2, with tremendous balance on both ends of the floor. Ultimately seeing this happen with talents like Harden and Mitchell in the starting five last April could be the key to getting off to a good start defensively and setting the tone on the board.

Good defense leads to good offense. Its as simple as that.

Who gets to close out Cavs games is a different story.

Recently, the San Antonio Spurs made headlines when big man Luke Cornette spoke out against the Atlanta Hawks’ planned Magic City Night to pay homage to a local iconic strip club. The NBA eventually intervened and canceled the promotion, with many fans speculating that Cornette’s objections may have had something to do with it.

During a recent episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast with Steve Nash and guest Austin Reeves, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James referenced the controversy.

“We’ve got to get Luke Cornett to talk about Magic City,” James said.

Now this is how you end an episode pic.twitter.com/ESeikM1ySQ

– Jimmy Changa ✌️ (@sultanwaystar) 24 March 2026

“We’re going to slam the laptop,” Nash joked.

The Hawks still sold Magic City Wings at the arena and sweatshirts online for the event, but some game-related promotional events were canceled as a result of the NBA’s decision. Kornet was not the only NBA player to speak out against the incident, as former Hawks big man and Kornet’s former Boston Celtics teammate, Al Horford, also took to social media to sign off on Kornet’s complaints.

Based on his tone, it doesn’t seem like James was serious about inviting Kornet on the podcast to discuss this topic, which has largely been put on the back burner as the NBA season approaches its home stretch. However, for a week or so, it sparked discussion about the intersection of the NBA’s reputation as a family-friendly brand with its continued allegiance to gambling companies and other less palatable aspects of society, with some accusing the league of hypocrisy in the decision to cancel the event.

Meanwhile, the Spurs have continued to blow away opponents over the past few weeks, and appear to have locked up the number two seed in the Western Conference when all is said and done.

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith never shies away from expressing his opinion. Smith is sharing that opinion about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Smith said on ESPN’s First Take Tuesday that James make the case He could become the greatest NBA player of all-time this season.

Smith said, “The biggest case for LeBron James being the GOAT, in my opinion, is what he’s been doing this year. … The Lakers are in better shape than most people expect.”

“The biggest case for LeBron James being the GOAT, in my opinion, is being made by him this year. … The Lakers are in better shape than most people expect.”

—@stephensmith On LeBron’s impact this season🌟 pic.twitter.com/kneqHt3liY

– First Tech (@FirstTech) 24 March 2026

Smith made the comments following the Lakers’ loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday night. James finished the game with 12 points in 39 minutes on the floor. He posted a double-double, as well as 10 assists.

Smith prepared his argument by first saying that he believes Michael Jordan is the GOAT. The commentator then made his case that James is at least worthy of consideration for GOAT status.

Smith said, “He gets to the basket. He leads the NBA in fast break points. … He’s doing whatever he can to win basketball games for the Lakers.”

James continues to set NBA records this season. In recent times, he passed Robert Parish for most regular season games played in the league.

“It’s not like I’m writing things down and looking at the record book and saying: ‘I’m gonna get that, I’m gonna get that, I’m gonna get that.’ That’s exactly what happened,” James said, according to the Associated Press. “It wasn’t on the list of things I wanted to accomplish.”

After the Pistons’ loss, the Lakers fell to 46–26 on the season. Los Angeles’ nine-game winning streak was broken.

“I think the Lakers are in better shape than most people expect, and it has everything to do with LeBron James,” Smith said on First Take.

The Lakers will next face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

For only the third time in his illustrious NBA career, LeBron James was held scoreless in the first half of a basketball game. The Los Angeles Lakers star missed all five of his attempts from the field and struggled overall, with the Detroit Pistons outscoring his team by 14 points during his 18 minutes of playing time.

Considering how high a scorer James is (he is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, after all), seeing him go scoreless can be a disturbing sight. But the Lakers star has saw his role changing Largely relative to his heyday, as Luka Doncic is now the undisputed number one scoring option for the purple and gold.

“This is the role I’m playing for the ball club. To win ball games, this is the role I’m playing. And that’s the way the game was going,” James told reporters after the Lakers’ 113–110 loss to the Pistons, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“This is the role I’m playing for the ball club. To win ball games, this is the role I’m playing. And that’s the way the game was going” – LeBron James on going scoreless in the first half for only the third time in his career and the first time since 2010 pic.twitter.com/W5HK2ThdPH

-Dave McMenamin (@mcten) 24 March 2026

James is actually playing more of a supporting role, which suits him better than ever, considering he’s already 41 years old. And it’s safe to say that this change is working for the Lakers, as they entered the night having won nine consecutive games. What this simply means is that James is fully on board with what the team is doing, although he needs to be better than he was on Monday to recover from this situation.

The Lakers have hit their stride

The Lakers have now managed to get the most out of Doncic after he faced some difficulties sharing ballhandling and playmaking duties to start his life in LA after the blowout trade last year.

Doncic being so impressive (he shot 32-6-7 in the loss to the Pistons) bodes well for their chances of making some noise in the playoffs, but James getting up and running will be key to their title hopes.

The Detroit Pistons continued to thrive without Cade Cunningham as they snapped the Los Angeles Lakers’ nine-game winning streak on Monday.

The Pistons escaped the Lakers 113–110 at Little Caesars Arena, with Dennis Jenkins leading the way in the fourth quarter with a career-best 30 points, including a clutch basket.

Detroit led by as many as 16 points as Los Angeles rallied to keep the game close. However, the Pistons stayed the course and defended the Purple and Gold.

Lebron James much appreciated At the Pistons’ restraints, as shown in video posted by Spectrum Sportsnet.

“You give credit where credit’s due. They’re the No. 1 team in the East. They’ve still got a really good team even with their All-NBA player out. I give them a lot of credit. We gave ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for,” said James, who had 12 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

LeBron on tonight’s loss: “Definitely you give credit where credit is due. They’re the #1 team in the East… I give them a lot of credit. We gave ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for.” pic.twitter.com/hjlYqDerHe

– Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) 24 March 2026

The Pistons have now won four consecutive games and lost only once in their last eight contests. They solidified their hold on the top spot in the Eastern Conference with a 52–19 record. They have already secured the playoff ticket.

They have a relatively tough schedule ahead of them as they will face the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and Toronto Raptors.

But as James noted, Detroit has also played well without Cunningham, who will miss an extended period of time due to a collapsed lung, and the players will be ready for the challenge.

Jalen Duren added 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists against the Lakers. Seven other players scored at least six points, highlighting the team’s depth.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ winning streak ended at nine games after losing 113-110 to the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Monday.

The Lakers rallied from a 16-point deficit to take a 110–109 lead after Austin Reaves’ jumper with 30 seconds remaining. However, Dennis Jenkins immediately responded with a bucket and two free throws.

Los Angeles still had a chance to win, but Luka Doncic missed a three-pointer.

The Lakers fell to 46–26, while the Pistons won their fourth straight game and seventh game in eight assignments to improve to 52–19. They still suffered a loss as Cade Cunningham was diagnosed with a damaged lung, keeping him out for a long period of time.

LeBron James admits the Pistons have didn’t miss a beat Despite Cunningham’s absence, as Coty Davis of The Detroit News reports.

“They’re super physical, super fast, they play well, they execute well, and they’re well-coached. No difference. I mean, obviously, the only difference is that you have an MVP-type caliber player out there,” James said.

“But when you have a really good team, guys step up. They can’t compensate for what Cade brings to the table because Cade is that guy, but other guys are stepping up.”

“Nobody…when you have a really good team, people step up.”

LeBron James speaks on whether it makes a difference playing against #piston With and without Cade Cunningham.

The Pistons are now 8-2 without Cunningham after their win against the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/OCpkZgvaLe

– Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) 24 March 2026

James did not score in the first half before finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

Jenkins, who has played admirably for Cunningham, scored a career-high 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 4-of-5 from deep. He added four rebounds and eight assists.

The Pistons, who have already clinched a playoff spot, have others who could step up without Cunningham, including Marcus Sasser, Caris LeVert, Kevin Huerter and Javonte Green.

JJ Redick saw a ray of hope in LeBron James’ performance despite him not scoring in the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the Detroit Pistons on Monday night.

James is playing the 23rd season of his famous NBA career, his eighth with the Lakers. Even at the age of 41, he remains one of the best veteran stars in the league.

However, he is also prone to cooldown strains during play. It was the same against Detroit as he posted six assists and four rebounds while going scoreless in the first half.

Redick reflected on James’ first half performance after the game. He described the outing as a selfless outing, trying to make the right play rather than forcing shots.

Redick said, “I thought he played a really unselfish game… I thought he not only tried to score, but did a good job making the right plays as usual and he got 10 assists.”

“I thought he played a really unselfish game … I thought he not only tried to score, but did a good job of making the right play as usual and he got 10 assists.”

Lakers head coach JJ Redick on LeBron James’ 0-point lead in the first half.

(via @nba)pic.twitter.com/pcOa7SsB5o https://t.co/kst5aliqve

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 24 March 2026

LeBron James, how the Lakers played against the Pistons

It was a quiet scoring night for LeBron James despite his stellar efforts. The Lakers still competed with the Pistons, even though they lost a close game 113–110.

Five players, including James, scored in double figures for Los Angeles in the loss. He finished the night with 12 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and one block. Luka Doncic led the team with 32 points and seven rebounds, Austin Reeves came next with 24 points and five assists, Deandre Ayton had 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaxson Hayes provided 11 points and four blocks.

Los Angeles fell to a 46–26 record on the season, maintaining third place in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, while trailing the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers will look to bounce back by remaining on the road in their next match. They will take on the Indiana Pacers as the tip-off takes place on March 25 at 7 PM ET.

LeBron James is actually the best scorer in NBA history, as he is the league’s all-time leading scorer in the regular season and playoffs. But there are no such things as certainties in the game of basketball. Even the Los Angeles Lakers star has a vacation from time to time, especially now that he’s 41 years old. And Monday night was looking like one such night.

On Monday, the Lakers faced a ferocious Detroit Pistons team and kept going at each other all night long. But James was obviously calm during the first half of the game. According to ESPN Insights on

Now, the good news is that James is no longer the alpha of the Lakers, he has handed over the offensive reins to the superstar that is Luka Doncic. But if the Lakers want to beat a tough Pistons team on the road, they will need to unlock more of James’ scoring.

James scored five points in the third quarter and now has seven at the time of writing with about eight minutes left in the final frame.

Lakers want to extend the winning streak to double digits

The Lakers have had tremendous performances over the past few weeks, as a result of which Doncic has raised his game and his team is following suit. They have won nine in a row heading into their game against the Pistons on Monday, and they have a golden opportunity to take that streak even further, given that Cade Cunningham is recovering from a lung injury.

The Lakers have to play one more game on their current road trip before returning home on Friday.

During the Lakers’ nine-game winning streak, LeBron has been one of the biggest contributors. After facing questions about his fit with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, James has emerged as the perfect power forward for the Lakers who can hit shots with efficiency and also make moves on the defensive end.

Ramona:

“I think the idea of ​​playing anywhere near $50 million is probably over, but if (LeBron) is willing to play for less than that, if it fits with what (the Lakers) are trying to do, then I think the door is open.” pic.twitter.com/ePVU76wKQo

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 23 March 2026

The change in the Lakers’ play has sparked various discussions about the team and LeBron’s possible return. While many believe LeBron will leave the Lakers in the summer, Ramona Shelburne raised the possibility that James will remain with the Lakers if he takes a significant pay cut.

“I think the idea of ​​playing anywhere for $50 million is probably dead on now. But, if he’s willing to play at a lower price, if it fits with what they’re trying to do, I think that door is open,” Shelburne said on NBA Today.

NBA Today guest host Jorge Sedano said, “Yeah. ‘Cause they have to balance the Austin situation as well. And still be able to fill out the rest of the roster.”

Shelburne said, “Yeah. As it stands right now, it’s almost like he’ll reverse roles with Austin in terms of salary.”

James is averaging 21.1 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game and 6.8 assists per game on a 51.4% field goal percentage. His all-round play and playmaking ability has been crucial for the Lakers during this win streak and could be vital if the Lakers want to make a deep playoff run.

The Lakers will visit the East-leading Detroit Pistons tonight at 7pm EST.

Recently, the Los Angeles Lakers picked up their ninth consecutive win with a narrow road win over the Orlando Magic. Its hero was Luke Kennard, who inexplicably got wide open on the final play of the game and buried a three-pointer to give Los Angeles a one-point victory.

In this game, Lakers star LeBron James passed Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish for the record for most regular season games played in NBA history and now, Parish himself has taken to social media to congratulate James on the feat.

“Congratulations on passing the most games played 1611!! It’s a great moment for me as you continue to strive for greatness/excellence with grace and respect for the game!!” Parrish wrote on X, formerly on Twitter.

James has indeed accrued 23 years of NBA advantage on his body, but has still continued to produce at a high level, recently having a stretch of several games where he made 20 of his last 21 shots.

Meanwhile, the Lakers are playing their best basketball at the right time this season, separating themselves from the pack in the race for the third seed in the Western Conference, and are currently on a nine-game winning streak, with many of those wins coming against playoff competition.

During the hot stretch, James has been more willing to outplay both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves in the Lakers’ offense, but more importantly, Los Angeles is playing much better defense with quicker rotations, better on-ball defense and communication than at any other point in the Doncic era.

Los Angeles will look to make it ten consecutive wins when it takes the field for a road game against the Detroit Pistons on Monday evening.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James added another major milestone to his already illustrious career when he passed former Boston Celtics star Robert Parish in terms of playing most regular season games. The historic feat came during the Lakers’ game against the Orlando Magic on Saturday, the fourth of the team’s six-game road trip.

James is going through an unprecedented 23rd season in the NBA, and he has already set several records in terms of being the oldest player to reach various statistics.

LeBron James became the NBA’s all-time leader in most games played with 1,612. This number will only increase as James shows no signs of his career slowing down or ending in the near future. Just one game earlier, in a win against the Miami Heat, James dropped a triple-double on the second night of a back-to-back, a game for which he was originally listed as questionable.

And then in the game before that, in the Lakers’ win against the Houston Rockets, James scored 30 points while missing only one shot (13 of 14). Amid James’ strong performance, the Lakers are in the midst of an eight-game winning streak and have moved into the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference standings.

James recovered from an early nerve injury that kept him out of the first 14 games of the season. He has appeared in 49 games at a rate of just over 33 minutes per game. He averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals on 51.6 percent shooting from the field, 31.8 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 73.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

James Borrego has no interest in spinning a story about what the New Orleans Pelicans have done after the NBA All-Star break. The math of the playoff picture is the same, but the coach says what’s going on inside the Big Easy’s locker room is very real. Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray may be playing their best basketball ever, but this turnaround has nothing to do with clipboard-based schemes.

The turnaround has been largely driven by a starting unit that has quickly found its rhythm with an All-Star point guard in the mix. This is obvious and cannot be overstated. How well they fit together is being overlooked at a time when most teams would be planning for the summer holidays.

“Yeah, you know, that group has played well together,” Borrego began. “That settles us with the herb handling, you got Murph out there, Saddiq and Z have a two-man game going on.”

Murray sets up buckets for Williamson, Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey while Herb Jones does a little bit of everything. It certainly seems like a recipe for success, although it will have to wait until next year. Unfortunately, it’s too late for the Pelicans to make postseason noise. Still, despite having very slim chances of catching the Golden State Warriors for the final NBA Play-in Tournament spot, the Pelicans continue to play with pride.

Borrego stressed, “I would say more than anything, there’s just a caring factor, an urgency and a belief.” “There’s a ‘this is all that matters’ mentality right now. Like we want to do something. We want to be competitive. We want to grow. We want to get better. We’re taking pride every day in our film sessions, practices, shootarounds, games and our overall mentality of finishing strong and being a team moving in the right direction. And more than anything, it’s a group effort. Everyone bought in, in the same direction.”

The lineup has appeared in balanced production. Over the past 15 games, the Pelicans have ranked among the more efficient offensive teams in the league, relying on Williamson’s interior scoring, Murphy’s perimeter gravitas and Murray’s shot creation to produce consistent looks. Bey’s versatility and Not on Herb’s defensive factors complete a unit that now plays with clear distinction and purpose.

the pelicans are playing to win

Borrego, for his part, doesn’t think much about where the race began.

“Obviously, staying healthy helps,” the interim head coach acknowledged. “I’m not going to get caught up in that. By getting Dejounte back, we now have depth, size and physicality on our defense.”

Murray’s return has reestablished the structure at both ends. Offensively, the 29-year-old has given the Pelicans another primary initiator, reducing the burden on Williamson while improving late-game execution. Defensively, his length along with Jones has helped the Pelicans gain a disruptive edge that was inconsistent under Willie Green. Still, Borrego was quick to dismiss the idea that the team’s recent form is entirely linked to health.

“Overall, it’s been a mentality of taking care of each other and playing,” Borrego explained. “I think we’ve had that going for us for quite some time now. It didn’t happen overnight or in the last six to ten games. I guess we’ve been top five in clutch games all year. I think we’ve probably been top five in clutch games all year. We’ve been putting ourselves back, even when we were losing games, we said put ourselves in these situations to win games. Keep fighting. Keep hitting the rock.”

Over the last 15 games, the Pelicans are in the top 10 in scoring (119.4), field goal percentage (48.3%), turnovers (15.5), and free-throw attempts (28.8). It took a few months, but the nuances of Borrego’s game plan are starting to become second nature.

How does he feel about working for months to keep this season from being ruined?

Borrego insisted, “This is what has led us to this moment. We didn’t flip a switch and turn it on.” “We’ve been working on it for months, and it’s finally starting to turn around. But it’s been an overall commitment to working every day, getting better and playing for each other. I think that’s been the biggest factor there.”

This is going to be a big factor in the front office’s head coach decision coming soon. It must be said how much Williamson and Murray are investing in the ideas.

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their late-season surge on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to eight games with a 134-126 victory over the Miami Heat, while ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst offered a reassuring assessment of LeBron James’ mentality.

Speaking on Friday’s broadcast of First Take, Windhorst pointed to what he described as a key indicator behind the Lakers’ recent success.

“The best thing I can say about the Lakers right now is… LeBron believes. It’s a subtle thing but if you watch LeBron over the decades, there are times when you get to a point in the season where you know he doesn’t believe in his team. And you can’t see it in the stats, you know it when you see it. Well, I know it when I see it. LeBron believes in this team.”

The Lakers’ performance in Miami reflected that confidence, as they improved to 45–25 on the season – the first time they reached 20 games above .500 since the 2019–20 campaign, when they won the NBA championship.

James delivered a triple-double in the win with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in 38 minutes. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after the team arrived in Miami around 5 p.m. ET, he shot 8-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line.

“I know it when I see it. LeBron believes in this team.” 👀👀👀

– @WindhorstESPN

(via @FirstTech /h/t @terrible announcement )

pic.twitter.com/wXIXLwaGVn

– NBCCentral (@TheDunkCentral) 20 March 2026

Brian Windhorst highlights LeBron James’ belief as Lakers’ surge continues

This outing follows another efficient performance from James last night, when he scored 30 points on 13-for-14 shooting in a win over the Houston Rockets.

While James planned the offense, Luka Doncic provided the scoring punch. The star guard recorded a career-high as a Laker with 60 points, adding seven rebounds, five steals and three assists. Doncic shot 18 of 30 from the field, 9 of 17 from three-point range and 15 of 17 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes, overwhelming Miami’s defense throughout the contest.

The Lakers’ recent expansion has been defined by offensive efficiency and balance, with several players contributing at a high level as the team climbs the Western Conference standings. The combination of James’ playmaking and Doncic’s scoring has put consistent pressure on opposing defenses during the winning streak.

Los Angeles will look to build on its momentum Saturday night when it travels to face the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center. The Magic entered the matchup with a 38–31 record as both teams continued to vie for the postseason.

As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Lakers’ current form has strengthened Windhorst’s evaluation, as the team continues to build momentum and confidence behind its experienced leader.

周四晚上，洛杉矶湖人队延续了赛季末的势头，以 134-126 战胜迈阿密热火队，将连胜扩大到八场，而 ESPN 分析师布莱恩·温德霍斯特 (Brian Windhorst) 对勒布朗·詹姆斯的心态做出了自信的评估。

温德霍斯特在周五的《First Take》节目中发表讲话，指出了他所说的湖人队最近成功背后的一个关键指标。

“关于湖人队，我现在能说的最好的一句话是……勒布朗相信。这是一件微妙的事情，但如果你观察勒布朗几十年来的表现，有时你会在赛季中的某个时刻知道他不相信自己的球队。而且你无法在统计数据中看到这一点，只有当你看到它时你才会知道。好吧，当我看到它时我就知道了。勒布朗相信这支球队。”

湖人队在迈阿密的表现反映了这种信心，他们本赛季的战绩提高到了 45 胜 25 负，这是自 2019-20 赛季赢得 NBA 总冠军以来，他们首次达到 20 场比赛得分高于 0.500。

詹姆斯在这场胜利中打出三双，在 38 分钟内得到 19 分、15 个篮板和 10 次助攻。在球队于美国东部时间凌晨 5 点左右抵达迈阿密后，他在背靠背比赛的第二晚比赛中 12 投 8 中，罚球线 5 投 3 中。

“当我看到它时我就知道了。勒布朗相信这支球队。” 👀👀👀

– @WindhorstESPN

（通过 @FirstTake /小时/吨 @awfulannouncing ）

pic.twitter.com/wXIXLwaGVn

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) 2026 年 3 月 20 日

布莱恩·温德霍斯特 (Brian Windhorst) 强调了勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James) 对湖人队持续崛起的信念

在这场比赛之前，詹姆斯在前一天晚上再次表现出色，14投13中拿下30分，帮助球队战胜了休斯顿火箭队。

当詹姆斯精心策划进攻时，卢卡·东契奇则提供得分机会。这位明星后卫拿下湖人队职业生涯新高的60分，外加7个篮板、5次抢断和3次助攻。整场比赛，东契奇30投18中，三分球17投9中，罚球17投15中，压倒了热火队的防守。

湖人队最近的表现是进攻效率和平衡，随着球队继续攀升西部排名，多名球员做出了高水平的贡献。詹姆斯的组织能力和东契奇的得分相结合，在连胜期间给对方的防守带来了持续的压力。

周六晚上，洛杉矶队将在起亚中心迎战奥兰多魔术队，希望延续自己的势头。魔术队以 38 胜 31 负的战绩进入对决，两队都继续为季后赛做好准备。

随着常规赛进入最后阶段，湖人队目前的状态强化了温德霍斯特的评估，球队继续在老将领袖的身后建立节奏和信心。

LeBron James has embarrassed Father Time time and again over the past several years, but the 41-year-old defied all logic in Thursday’s 134-126 win against the Miami Heat. After back-to-back wins against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, the Los Angeles Lakers arrived in South Beach around 4 p.m. local time. Athletes need their sleep, especially when they have back-to-back games, and especially when they are in their 23rd NBA season.

However, the greatest player of all time showed no effect of the small change. He scored 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting with 15 rebounds and 10 assists, his 124th career triple-double. Luka Doncic was the best player on the night, leading the Heat with an impressive 60 points, but James’ huge contributions should also be highlighted. The Slovenian superstar made sure to do so while showing great appreciation to his teammate.

“Like I said yesterday, you know without him, we’re not going to win,” Doncic told Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell. “So the way he’s playing, he’s incredible to watch and incredible to watch.”

60 PIECE. 😴🔥

Mike Trudell caught up with Luka Dončić after his 60-point performance. pic.twitter.com/kgP3rWrbdM

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 20, 2026

When the Lakers struggled to maintain momentum from December to February, some people pointed fingers at James. Many NBA fans believe that the four-time Finals MVP’s defensive limitations will prevent the Lakers from advancing in the NBA Playoffs. The team is performing incredibly well right now, however, winning eight consecutive games and sitting in third place in the West.

Now that Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Austin Reaves are all healthy, LA looks like a real championship contender. The biggest member of that trio is actually a big reason why the Lakers have achieved such a position in the latter half of the regular season.

James will continue to let Doncic take the lead offensively, but when the opportunity arises, he will do his best to spark the offense as both a scorer and playmaker. The atmosphere in Los Angeles has surprisingly matched the team’s excellent form.

The Purple and Gold (45-25) continue their six-game road trip when they take on the Orlando Magic (38-31) this Saturday at the Kia Center.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ winning streak reached eight games after a 134-126 win against the Miami Heat on Thursday. The Lakers also improved to 3-0 on their current road trip, and the win was capped off by a 60-point explosion from Luka Doncic. But amid Doncic’s big game, LeBron James left his mark on the Lakers’ win with a triple double, according to Melissa Rohlin of the California Post, prompting head coach JJ Redick to drop the mic with three words.

“He’s a psychopath,” Redick said after the Lakers’ win against the Heat.

LeBron James finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, giving him his second triple-double of the season. Also impressive was the fact that the Lakers were playing the second night of a back-to-back, a game that James was initially listed as questionable to play in.

He shot 8 of 12 from the field and 3 of 5 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes of play. James had another incredible performance in the Lakers’ win against the Houston Rockets last night, when he dropped 30 points while missing only one shot (13 of 14).

Earlier this season, when James returned to the Lakers’ lineup after missing the first 14 games of the season due to a nerve injury, he was missing both games of a back-to-back set. But that’s where he’s been for most of the season since the New Year as the Lakers continue to battle for playoff position in the Western Conference.

James was selected for his 22nd consecutive All-Star appearance, however, his streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA team finishes ended as he did not reach the league’s 65-game mandate to be eligible for postseason honors.

After the win against the Heat, the Lakers improved to 45–25, two full games ahead of the No. 4 Minnesota Timberwolves. The team will visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday before concluding their road trip with games against the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers.

The Los Angeles Lakers are currently on an eight-game winning streak, but apparently, some people still think the team would be better off without 41-year-old LeBron James. Following Thursday night’s blowout 134-126 win over the Miami Heat, James took some time to address critics who suggest his appearance could be holding the purple and gold back.

When LeBron James was asked about the narrative, he clearly stated that such takes are usually just for clicks. “It sells papers and clippings and podcasts a lot easier than if you say, ‘LeBron, the team is better off without him.’ Many people will try to like watching it. So, I understand. They are absolutely wrong.” Looking at the figures he just presented, it’s hard to argue with him. Over the past 24 hours, James has led the Lakers to a 2-0 record while scoring a total of 49 points on an absurd 21-26 shooting from the field.

The game in Miami was especially special as James had officially tied Robert Parish for the NBA record for most games played in a regular season with 1,611. He celebrated this milestone by recording a triple-double, finishing the night with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. Head coach JJ Redick praised his star’s longevity, noting that James refused to cheat the game even in his 23rd season.

While James provided a steady hand, Luka Doncic provided the fireworks. The Slovenian superstar exploded with a season-high 60 points against the Heat, setting a new record for points by an opponent in Miami. Doncic also broke the Lakers’ single-season record for 3-pointers made during the win. With Austin Reaves scoring 18 points and holding the defense strong late, the Lakers proved they have a terrific balance of youth and veteran leadership.

The Lakers now sit at 45-25 and have moved up to third place in the Western Conference. If this is what a team looks like with a “declining” LeBron James, the rest of the league is in serious trouble.

迈阿密——迈阿密热火队试图在东部积分榜上的紧张局势中挺进季后赛，本赛季最后 13 场比赛的第一场比赛是在主场对阵洛杉矶湖人队和超级巨星勒布朗·詹姆斯。随着热火队未来面临艰难比赛的挑战，主教练埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉谈到了詹姆斯如何继续经受住时间的考验。

詹姆斯已经 41 岁了，这是他在 NBA 的第 23 个赛季，他几乎没有注意到他已经失去了一步，这为他作为 NBA 历史上顶级球员之一的传奇地位又增添了一个层次。除了表明詹姆斯是在德维恩·韦德和克里斯·波什的“三巨头”时代为迈阿密带来两个总冠军的重要组成部分之外。

斯波尔斯特拉显然是这些球队的主教练，他谈到詹姆斯如何“让父亲的时间地狱”。除了在迈阿密近距离目睹这一幕之外，当詹姆斯和他的队友在 2024 年巴黎奥运会上夺得金牌时，斯波斯特拉还以美国队助理教练的身份亲眼目睹了这一幕。

“你必须绝对尊重他的竞争精神，”斯波尔斯特拉在周四晚上热火对阵湖人之前说道。 “你知道，他不仅在与整个联盟竞争，而且在与时间之父竞争，他正在给时间之父带来地狱，他确实如此。你必须尊重这一点。”

“这并非偶然发生，”斯波尔斯特拉继续说道。 “显然，14 年前我就看到了他的很多习惯，但在美国周，你可以看到他对所有不同事情的专注程度，投篮、球员发展、举重和灵活性以及保持身体正确的一切。这令人印象深刻。他做了很多令人印象深刻的事情。”

埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉谈勒布朗·詹姆斯： #热力国家

“他正在与时间之父竞争，他正在给时间之父带来地狱……” pic.twitter.com/4zxIixr6PP

— 扎卡里·温伯格 (@ZachWeinberger) 2026 年 3 月 19 日

LeBron James warming up before tonight’s game against the Heat: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/WN642MMDsd

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 19, 2026

热火队的埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉表示勒布朗·詹姆斯还可以再打十年

这并不是热火队主教练斯波尔斯特拉第一次赞扬詹姆斯，每次这位球星回到迈阿密迎战他的老东家时，这种情况都是很常见的。无论体育界想知道詹姆斯何时退役，斯波尔斯特拉相信，如果他愿意，他可以再打“十年”篮球。

“身材、力量和智商。他可以凭借自己的体格和照顾自己的方式做到他所做的事情，”斯波尔斯特拉在 2024 年 12 月 4 日说道。“他不必成为地球上最好的运动员。他曾经是。我们不是在谈论协会中最好的运动员，他是地球上最好的运动员，可以说，只是身材、力量、敏捷性、爆发力，所有这些东西，敏捷性结合在一起，但在这样的体型下，如果他只是想放慢比赛速度，只靠他的大脑和智商来比赛，你知道，他可以再做十年，我怀疑他会对此感兴趣，但他可以。

更多关于埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉谈论勒布朗·詹姆斯以及他如何在他的年龄仍然表现出色。 #热力国家 pic.twitter.com/jJ1OUGRaas

— 扎卡里·温伯格 (@ZachWeinberger) 2024 年 12 月 4 日

无论如何，谁知道周四晚上在卡塞亚中心举行的比赛是否会是詹姆斯在迈阿密的最后一次比赛，但不可否认的是，球迷们会记住这位超级巨星从 2011 年到 2014 年带领球队连续四次闯入 NBA 总决赛。除此之外，斯波尔斯特拉还希望击败詹姆斯、湖人队以及任何其他阻碍热火队的球队，因为热火队在周四对阵洛杉矶队的比赛中战绩为 38 胜 31 负，排名东部第七。

LeBron James’ longevity is extraordinary. The Los Angeles Lakers star is already 41 years old and in his 23rd year in the league, and yet he is still playing at a high level. On Thursday night, James tied Robert Parish’s record for most games played in a career.

After starting in the Lakers’ game against the Miami Heat, LeBron has played a total of 1,611 games, tying Parish’s record. James will certainly break some records this season and beyond, provided he plays the rest of the year.

Drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, James has played 23 seasons in his NBA career. Although the Lakers star missed a few games here and there, the sheer amount of years he played meant that sooner or later he was bound to break this record. Games played by James spanned Cleveland, Miami and Los Angeles.

His longevity is the biggest reason why many fans consider him the greatest player in NBA history. Even at the age of 41, the Lakers star is still averaging 21.4 points per game on efficient shooting (shooting 51.4% from the field). He’s also adding 6.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Although he is not the focal point of the Lakers’ offense as before, he has still been an integral part for them this season.

Due to his age, there is talk in the league about James’ possible retirement after this season. Although the Lakers star has not clearly stated that he will retire after the 2025-26 season, this decision is still lingering in every fan’s mind as the season progresses. However, for now he and the Lakers are focused on winning another championship. Los Angeles enters its game against Miami as the third seed in the highly competitive Western Conference, and is on track to make the postseason.

MIAMI – The Miami Heat are attempting to reach the playoffs in a tight Eastern Conference standings, with the first game of the season’s final 13 at home against the Los Angeles Lakers and superstar LeBron James. With the Heat facing tough games ahead, head coach Erik Spoelstra explained how James is standing the test of time.

James is 41 years old, in his 23rd season in the NBA, and it’s barely noticeable that he’s lost a step, adding another level to his already legendary status as one of the top players in NBA history. In addition to demonstrating that James was a key part in bringing two championships to Miami along with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh during the “Big 3” era.

Spoelstra was apparently the head coach of those teams, as he described how James was “giving Father Time hell.” In addition to watching closely from his time in Miami, Spoestra also watched as Team USA’s assistant coach as James and Co. earned a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“You just have to have total respect for his level of competitiveness,” Spoelstra said before the Heat played the Lakers on Thursday night. “You know, he’s not only competing against the entire league, but he’s competing against Father Time, and he’s giving Father Time hell, he really is. And you have to respect that.”

“This doesn’t happen by accident,” Spoelstra continued. “I obviously saw a lot of his habits 14 years ago, but then at the USA weeks, you could see how dedicated he was to all the different things, shooting, player development, but also lifting and mobility and everything to keep his body right. It was impressive. He’s doing a lot of impressive things.”

Erik Spoelstra on LeBron James: #HeatNation

“He’s competing against Father Time and he’s making Father Time hell…” pic.twitter.com/4zxIixr6PP

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 19 March 2026

LeBron James warming up before tonight’s game against the Heat: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/WN642MMDsd

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) March 19, 2026

Heat’s Erik Spoelstra says LeBron James could play another decade

This is not the first time that the Heat’s head coach in Spoelstra has praised James, it is a common occurrence every time the star has returned to Miami to take on his former team. Even if the sports world wonders when James will retire, Spoelstra believes he can play basketball for the next “decade” if he wants to.

“Size, strength and IQ. What he can do with his body and the way he takes care of himself,” Spoelstra said on December 4, 2024. United, but at this size, and if he wants to slow the game down and just play, you know, away from his brain and IQ, he can do that for another decade, I doubt he’ll find the interest in it, but he can.

Talking more about Erik Spoelstra and more about LeBron James and how he still excels at this age. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/jJ1OUGRaas

– Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 4th December 2024

At any rate, who knows if Thursday night at the Cascade Center will be the last time James plays in Miami, but it can’t be denied that fans will remember the superstar who led the team to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances from 2011-2014. Additionally, Spoelstra is trying to defeat James, the Lakers and any other team that stands in the way of the Heat as they sit 38-31, seventh in the East, entering Thursday’s game against Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Lakers extended their lead with a 124–116 win over the Houston Rockets, making their streak seven and improving to 9–1 in their last 10 games. Once again, LeBron James took charge on the night. At 41, he put in a performance that felt both skilled and inevitable. He finished with 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting, along with five rebounds and two assists. The matchup against the Rockets was high on energy, but LeBron controlled the Lakers’ rhythm from start to finish.

After the game, JJ Redick gave a response that immediately caught attention. “The one shot he missed, he was trying to make a foul shot. I mean, that’s the biggest thing,” Redick said. that was fast. it was funny. And it perfectly demonstrated how dominant LeBron was. A miss occurred only because everything else went in.

JJ: “One shot (LeBron) missed, he was trying to draw a foul. That’s the biggest thing” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/wu2L2pxfoL

– Oh no, he didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) 19 March 2026

LeBron also missed both of his three-point attempts. Every touch seemed deliberate. Every move felt calculated. Under the lights, it didn’t look like this was a player in the prime of his career. It seemed like the perfect order.

Lakers finding form at the right time

The Lakers just aren’t winning. Instead, they are building something. The difference is clearly visible. Meanwhile, decision making feels rushed. And through it all, LeBron James has been the engine driving everything forward.

However, the rockets did not fold easily. They kept the pressure on the scoreboard and forced the Lakers to respond. Still, Los Angeles never lost control. Each of Houston’s runs received a steady answer. As a result, that balance continues to define this expansion.

More importantly, this moment feels bigger than a game. Almost a perfect shooting night. A viral quote from JJ Redick. Plus, as the season gets tougher, the team’s confidence is growing. The Lakers are on an upward trend, and the signs are becoming harder to ignore now.

So now, the question arises again: If LeBron James is playing at this level, how dangerous can this Lakers run be?

The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Miami Heat for the second consecutive night on Thursday, and LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are all listed as questionable on the injury report. James is dealing with a foot problem, while Doncic has hip pain and Reeves has an arm problem. Here’s everything we know about the injuries to LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves and their playing status heading into the Lakers’ game against the Heat.

LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reeves status vs. Heat

Given that all three of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are questionable on the Lakers’ injury report against the Heat, a concrete update won’t happen until it gets closer to the start of game time.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if all three players were ruled out against the Heat. At this time of the season, everyone is dealing with some kind of illness, and the Lakers have played it safe by resting key players during back-to-back stretches.

It’s only the third game of a six-game road trip, in which the Lakers will visit the Orlando Magic on Saturday, then make stops against the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers before returning home to end the month.

So when the question comes up about whether LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are playing against the Heat tonight, the answer is probably no.

lakers injury report

-Luka Doncic questionable (right hip soreness).
-LeBron James questionable (arthritis in left foot)
-Maxi Glue Out (Lumbar Back Strain)
-Austin Reeves questionable (injured right arm)

heat injury report

-Bam Adebayo available (right calf tightness)
-Vladislav Goldin out (G League two-way)
-Jaime Jaquez Jr. out (left hip tightness)
-Nikola Jovic available (lower back injury management)
-Trevor Keels out (G League two-way)
-Pelle Larsson available (left elbow injury)
-Terry Rozier out (not with team)
-Kel’l ware available (right shoulder stretch)
-Andrew Wiggins out (sesamoiditis of left big toe).
-Jahmir Young out (G League two-way)

On Wednesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers continued their winning ways with their second consecutive victory over the Houston Rockets. LeBron James had a stellar game, scoring 30 points on an incredible 13-14 from the field, helping guide his team to consecutive wins.

After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick made a humorous quip, joking that watching James do what he does at age 41 “makes me feel like a loser.”

After this James responded with a funny comment.

“If he’s a loser, we’re all in deep shit,” James said, according to X, formerly of Oh No He Didn’t, on Twitter.

Redick has earned the respect of both the Lakers players and fanbase over the past few seasons in Los Angeles, guiding the team to the number three seed in the Western Conference a season ago, a spot they currently hold in the standings as the 2025-26 season enters its home stretch.

This time, the Lakers will hope for a better playoff result than the five-game shellacking they received from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the postseason last year, and if their recent play is any indication, Los Angeles could be a very scary opponent in the playoffs this year.

Right now, the Lakers are playing their best defense of the season, featuring James off the ball more to conserve energy, and Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves showing better effort on that end of the floor.

It also helps that the Lakers are on offense right now, but when that finally settles down, they’ll still have all the tools they need to scare Western Conference contenders in the coming months.

On Wednesday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers continued their winning streak with their second consecutive win over the Houston Rockets. It was an epic game for LeBron James, who scored 30 points on a hyper-efficient 13-of-14 from the field in the win.

After the game, fellow icon Kevin Durant told reporters that he believes James can play in the NBA until he is 45, according to Law Murray, formerly of Twitter, of The Athletic on X.

Durant said, “I don’t know if he wants to stay that long. But I think honestly, he can play another 4-5 years… It’s no surprise now.”

In fact, the NBA has never seen anything like what James has been able to accomplish at age 41. While he’s not the same athlete he was during his Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers days, James remains a nightmare for opposing defenses in the open court, able to force his way to the basket, as he did with several impressive dunks on Wednesday night.

As his NBA career has progressed, he has also improved his perimeter jumper, and of course, his basketball IQ is as strong as it has ever been.

In recent weeks, James has begun to take on more of a backseat role for the Lakers, allowing teammates Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to do the heavy lifting on offense. While Doncic scored 40 points in Wednesday’s win over Houston, James was clearly the second option in this affair, dismantling Houston’s defense and draining difficult jumpers.

With this win, the Lakers have increased their lead on the field for third place in the Western Conference, and will take the field again for a game against the Miami Heat on Thursday evening.

The Los Angeles Lakers got a big win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday at the Toyota Center. LeBron James played exceptionally well and scored 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting. According to the X reporter, he spoke after the game and showed how he felt, oh no, he didn’t.

“LeBron: Look at me right now… I feel like I’m bullshitting, but in the game I felt great, before the game, I wasn’t feeling that good. I was yawning and tired. I was literally just talking to myself, “Oh no, not on X,” he wrote.

James continued to fire all night, missing only one shot. It was his best shooting night of the season, as he found ways to put the ball in the hoop at almost every opportunity. There were times when he felt every bit his age, including a massive collapse in the fourth quarter. But James came back and finished the game strongly.

When James dived in for a basketball in Denver earlier this week, it took him a little longer to get up. When he fell in Houston, he held his ailing wrist and sat on the hardwood for a few minutes. Despite being 41 years old, James is playing at a high level, which is perfect timing as we get closer to the playoffs.

There are still questions about James’ future; He continues to perform as the second-best player on the Lakers behind Luka Doncic. As the Lakers sit in third place in the Western Conference, the team will continue to try to secure the No. 3 seed and make a deep run as James strives to stay healthy and be there for the team when needed.

LeBron James played one of his best games this season, scoring 30 points on 13-14 shooting from the field in a 124-116 win for the Los Angeles Lakers over the Houston Rockets. James has really shifted to an off-ball role, and he is thriving as a result. In fact, a lot of the little things James is doing that contribute to winning are just putting even more wear and tear on a body that’s already gotten a ton of mileage.

Notably, James suffered an elbow injury late in the Lakers’ victory when he faced a hard foul from Jabari Smith Jr. He was supposed to go straight to the locker room after the final buzzer, but he noticed that Lisa Salters was the sideline reporter for ESPN the night before and she was staying briefly to give an interview. out of love And he has admiration for one of the sport’s most experienced journalists.

“As soon as I get to the locker room, Imma throw some ice on it. That’s why I ran away. But, you know, I love you, you’re amazing, so I had to come back and do this interview for you. We got back-to-backs. I’m 41. I need to prepare but I take care of myself and hopefully I’ll be ready for tomorrow night,” James told Salters.

“I love you, you’re amazing, so I had to come back and do this interview for you.”

LeBron was going back to the locker room, but came back to do an interview with Lisa Salters 🙌

(via @ESPN)
pic.twitter.com/hTx8VwSisV

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 19 March 2026

Lakers’ LeBron James shows love for fellow sports legend

Salters has been working on the sidelines for nearly 20 years, joining NBA on ABC coverage in 2006 as the lead sideline reporter. She has been a part of ESPN since 2000. James has watched Salters on the sidelines throughout his career, and it seems as if the Lakers star has formed a relationship with one of the game’s most respected reporters.

In fact, the Lakers have to play a game tomorrow night as they face the Miami Heat.

JJ Redick isn’t afraid to take a hit on the bear, even if that bear is his own superstar. Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-116 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, Redick couldn’t resist making a joke at LeBron James’ expense despite a near-perfect performance from “The King.”

James was absolutely surgical at Toyota Center, scoring 30 points on a staggering 13-of-14 shooting from the floor. He missed exactly once all night. When reporters asked Redick about the lone flaw in that historic shooting performance, the first-year head coach didn’t mince words.

“The one shot he missed, he was trying to get a foul shot,” Redick said with a laugh in the media room.

It was a classic Reddick moment, blunt, high-witted and with just the right amount of sarcasm. While the coach was clearly joking, his comments highlight the loose, confident atmosphere around this Lakers team. Los Angeles has now won seven straight games and 10 of their last 11, improving their record to 44-25 and solidifying their place near the top of the Western Conference.

James wasn’t the only person cooking in Houston. Luka Doncic continued his MVP-caliber campaign with a 40-point masterpiece that included 10 assists and nine rebounds to carry the load at the end of the fourth quarter. The Lakers shot 61% as a team, making life miserable for the Rockets defense, which welcomed Alpern Sengun. Sengun finished with 27 points and 11 assists, but it wasn’t enough to stop the purple and gold juggernaut.

The win completes a two-game sweep of the Rockets and serves as another reminder that the James-Doncic partnership is officially on the way. With Redick steering the ship and the stars playing it efficiently, the Lakers are looking like the most dangerous team in the West in April.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James trended for a vicious dunk against the Houston Rockets on Monday. But now a potential future venture seems to be looming over them.

James’s dream of becoming an NBA owner suffered a major setback on Wednesday. James’ partnership with Fenway Sports Group is eyeing Las Vegas for a new expansion franchise. But according to Joe Warden and Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic, FSG is ready to expand.

Price is a big factor, with the expected cost “reportedly demanding an expansion fee of up to $8 billion per team.”

This still leaves a major dent in James’ ownership vision as the league continues expansion talks.

What’s next for Lakers’ LeBron James amid ownership blowback?

The Athletic further noted how “FSG was long expected to be James’ primary financial backer in his stated desire to own an NBA team.” But the sudden move makes it “less likely” that James will pursue franchise ownership.

Fenway Sports Group has partnered with James with the Miami Heat since 2011. The group owns the Boston Red Sox of the English Premier League and soccer club Liverpool.

James’s net worth is estimated at $1.4 billion, leading fans to believe that he has enough wealth to own a team. But if he continues to own a sports franchise he will need to join a team of investors.

The four-time NBA champion would also have to retire to run the ownership. The 41-year-old James is currently unsure about playing in 2026-27.

As a rookie last season, Bronny James’ plan was always to spend plenty of time with the South Bay affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers in the G League.

Now in his second year in the NBA, it’s been a similar story for him. James played in 18 games for South Bay last season, and he’s tied for 18 games this year with less than a month left in the regular season.

Based on the Lakers’ depth chart, there doesn’t appear to be much room in the rotation for the second-year guard. It always made sense that he was going to get more opportunities to develop his game in the G League.

As Bronny James juggles the shuffle between the Lakers and South Bay, one of the things he’s working on is trying to find a balance between finding his shot and being a playmaker for his teammates. At the urging of both Lakers head coach JJ Redick and South Bay head coach Zach Guthrie, James has focused on finding his shot when the opportunity arises.

“They always tell me they want me to be as aggressive as possible and try to score,” James told ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview. “That’s been my mentality all the time now. If they give it to me, I’ll take a bucket. If not, just put it back in space and make a play. Not really thinking too much and just playing basketball.”

This work is in progress. As a point guard, James has a natural penchant for moving the ball and getting his teammates involved. Last year, he averaged 4.6 assists per game while in the G League. This season, he has slightly less than four assists. During his first two games with South Bay, he posted back-to-back games of eight assists.

This was followed by a streak of seven games where he averaged 5.3 assists per game. With the Lakers, James has had two games with six assists this season. He walks a good path for all players trying to become a successful guard in the NBA. It’s all about finding your shot, and finding the right balance between keeping the offense humming and getting scoring opportunities to your teammates.

“I think it’s just staying aggressive. I’m looking for my shot first and if the defender comes in front of me, I make the pass,” James said. “Just play your game and experience the defense while the game is going on.”

Bronny James’s G League development with South Bay

While opportunities with the Lakers are few and far between, there is ample playing time available for James in the G League. By mid-March, he had appeared in 18 games with South Bay, equal to his total appearances from the previous season.

His average has been 13.3 points, which is less than 18.6 points a year ago. Their total number has decreased slightly; 3.0 rebounds compared to 4.4 and 3.8 assists compared to 4.6. But their efficiency has improved. James is shooting 48.7 percent from the field, up from 41.9 percent last year. And his 3-point efficiency has gone from 33.6 percent to 34.4 percent.

It’s a balanced approach for James, which is a byproduct of the game being slow for him, as well as playing with a talented South Bay team.

“Yeah, I would say so. We have a lot of talent on our team so it’s an easy job for me,” James said. “I’m trying to do everything I can to win, whether it’s getting buckets or facilitating or playing defense.”

One way James’ time with South Bay has helped his development is the chance to play with his ‘be ready’ Lakers teammates in live game action. He has suited up with Edou Thirou, Dalton Knecht, Kobe Bufkin, Drew Timme, Chris Mannon and Nick Smith Jr. This group often scrimmages against each other in ‘Be Ready’ games after Lakers practice.

This is a group that doesn’t often see the court on a regular basis in the NBA, but playing together with South Bay gives them an opportunity to build togetherness and implement what the Lakers’ coaching staff wants to see from their development.

“I like to get my teammates involved because they’re all really talented and they can get buckets,” James said. “So I don’t have to be the only one trying to score the whole game. It’s definitely an easier job when I’m playing with them.”

Bronny James’ outlook on the rest of the season

While the Lakers certainly aspire to make a strong showing in the NBA playoffs, South Bay has emerged as a contender itself once the G League postseason begins. They recently set a franchise record of 12 consecutive wins, and they hold sole possession of first place in the G League’s Western Conference standings.

James is likely to play a much bigger role in South Bay’s postseason run than the Lakers, provided he is deployed when the G League playoffs begin at the end of the month. He’s already looking forward to a possible partnership with the group.

“We’re ranked No. 1 in the Western Conference right now,” James said. “We’re on a winning streak, and I think we can go very far in the playoffs. Do whatever it takes to win. I think it’s good for my development.”

The G League Finals are set to conclude just before the NBA Playoffs begin. Should South Bay get that far, it’s probably safe to assume James will be on the roster. And then he’ll be back in time for a potential playoff run with the Lakers.

And no matter which team he is with, he will bring his same winning mentality.

“I think it’s just coming out and doing whatever the coach needs. If I came back to the Lakers, it would be the same thing,” James said. “Just playing a role and excelling at it. I have different roles on both of my teams, so whatever it is, just doing it at a high level.”

Monday night marked the 31st regular season matchup between two of the greatest small forwards to ever play the game of basketball, as LeBron James and Kevin Durant prepared to do battle once again. In the end, James earned his 20th regular season win over Durant after the Los Angeles Lakers blocked Durant en route to a 100–92 victory.

Durant faced an aggressive Lakers defensive scheme designed to take the ball out of his hands, and as a result he was limited to two points in the second half. This led to a late-game surge from LA, allowing them to build a more comfortable cushion against the third seed in the Western Conference.

After the game, James gave Durant the greatest form of respect Having said that, it’s difficult to guard every version of the Rockets star and in every single game, he gets as much respect as the Lakers gave him on Monday.

“Every edition. He’s getting better and better,” James said via @ohnohedidnt24 on X (formerly Twitter). “We had a fight in the finals, too. Even when he was younger, when it was him and Russ and James, he was never good at basketball.”

“Is there a version of Kevin? [Durant] Would you say he’s the toughest player you’ve had to guard?”

LeBron James: “Sh*t, every version. He keeps getting better… He’s never been great at basketball.”pic.twitter.com/4SF0BiWzEE

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 March 2026

Lakers star LeBron James highlights major problem for Rockets

James said in his post-game comments that defending Durant becomes more difficult when he is allowed to go one-on-one – which he was not on Monday night.

James added, “He was extremely dynamic in Golden State because you can’t have a lot of bodies on him all the time because of the threat of Steph (Curry) and Klay (Thompson).”

“Any time you can’t put that many bodies in front of a great player who has the ability to score the ball, it’s very challenging.”

A first-round matchup between James and Durant is likely, especially with the competition for spots three through six in the West standings so tight.

The Los Angeles Lakers have an NBA playoff berth to chase at the end of the season. Perennial wonder LeBron James ignited postseason expectations in a big way on Monday. This all happened after the Houston Rockets put up a poster of Jabari Smith Jr.

Smith attempted to time his jump and execute a block near the rim. Except James blew this jam early in the first quarter.

41-year-old LeBron James played Jabari Smith Jr. 🤯pic.twitter.com/5hu3t1Ovaf

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 17 March 2026

Los Angeles took a 13-11 lead during that transition sequence. Then there was a back-and-forth with other aspiring Western Conference playoff contenders.

LA went ahead 41–38 after a James Poster dunk about seven minutes into the second quarter. But Kevin Durant was able to make two free throws with less than four minutes remaining to give Houston a 46–45 lead.

How LeBron James, Lakers performed in the first half

Monday’s matchup inside Toyota Center offered a potential playoff preview.

Los Angeles is the third-best team in the West behind the San Antonio Spurs (49-18) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (53-15). But the Lakers entered the week of St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness on a five-game winning streak.

Houston and Durant, meanwhile, are the fourth-place team in the Western Conference, trailing the Lakers. The Rockets enter with an overall record of 41-25 and defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 107-105 on Friday.

However, despite the strong dunks, James was limited in scoring. He scored only four points in 13 minutes. The four-time NBA champion dished out two assists and grabbed one rebound.

Luka Doncic handled the scoring load for the Lakers and scored 23 points in the first half with less than 2:40 remaining in the second half. Houston took a 57–51 lead at halftime.

Rich Paul isn’t happy with talk of the Los Angeles Lakers playing better without his superstar client LeBron James.

James is going through the 23rd year of his illustrious NBA career. He has developed chemistry with co-stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, forming a powerful trio on the Lakers team.

However, there have been concerns about the team’s level of play should James play or be absent. The latter has been more active as Los Angeles seems to be winning more with James on the sidelines.

Paul shut down all the hot takes that the Lakers are better off without James. He says that James is a person who can play in any position, he has never had any problem fitting into any team and he always plays basketball the right way. In other words, he believes none of James’s teams will be better off without him.

“Do you know how hard it is to not start training camp and not be in a rhythm. Well, it’s not like he’s ever had a problem fitting in versus fitting out, or playing the right way. He’s always just played the right way. He’s a guy that can play, really play, and knows how to play, in every position on the floor. Think about it, if he was your five man, he’d be playing some small ball five,” Paul said in Game Over. Said at the 33:05 mark. podcast.

What’s next for LeBron James, Lakers

The Lakers benefit when their star trio is active and healthy. As for LeBron James, he will have to take care of his health as the quest for a fifth title continues.

Los Angeles has a record of 42–25 on the season, placing third in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets, while trailing the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Following their matchup against the Rockets on Monday, the Lakers will prepare for their next contest. They are scheduled to play a rematch against Houston as tip-off begins on March 18 at 9:30 pm ET.

LeBron James is a veteran of the NBA. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like it, but the Los Angeles Lakers are already on the wrong side of 40 this season. Even though he’s already older than everyone in the league, LA still relies on LeBron more than fans would like to see him power through the season.

It’s clearly working: The Lakers are in third place in the crowded Western Conference with a 42-25 record and trail the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. However, everyone knows that Los Angeles needs to find a way to involve James less in order to preserve him for the remainder of the season. Lakers head coach JJ Redick echoed this sentiment before their game against the Houston Rockets, but also highlighted that LeBron was at his best when he was used as more than a regular player.

According to Benjamin Royer, Redick said, “He was and still is a high-usage player compared to your average player.” The best thing for our team is he’s the third most used player, you know, and obviously he had to work more during parts of the year because of injuries or guys being out of the lineup.

Although James is no longer the solo world-beater he once was, the Lakers star still has great confidence in him. In terms of scoring, James is the third leading scorer after the All-Star break with 18.7 points per game in 10 games. He trails Luka Doncic (32.7) and Austin Reaves on the Lakers’ scoring list. James is also adding 5.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, as he has handed control of the offense to both Doncic and Reaves.

James and the Lakers are looking for their first championship since arriving in the bubble in 2020. Los Angeles had come close in previous years, but they never got back to the Finals. Will this be the year James wins his sixth championship and matches Michael Jordan’s six rings?

On Saturday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers continued their winning ways with an impressive home win in overtime over the Denver Nuggets. It wasn’t always rosy for the Lakers, but ultimately, they took the game to extra frames thanks to great play from Austin Reaves and then won it on a late Luka Doncic jumper.

At one point in the game, a heartwarming moment occurred when a young fan was caught showing off his enthusiasm for the game on the Crypto.com Arena jumbotron.

a legend pic.twitter.com/KE9tJ7cRno

– Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) 15 March 2026

After the game, the kid got a shoutout from none other than LeBron James himself.

“It was a great atmosphere. … That little kid on the Jumbotron was definitely — I saw there — I think he’s the reason we won tonight,” James, formerly of the Ax, said, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Twitter.

The young fan wasn’t the only one thrilled by what he saw Saturday, as Los Angeles picked up its fifth consecutive win against a quality opponent in Denver.

The Lakers’ defense, which has been seen as a reason for the team not being taken seriously as a contender this year, has started to play some better basketball over the past few weeks, with JJ Redick’s strategy appearing to be to get LeBron James off the ball as much as possible so he doesn’t have to expend so much energy on the 41-year-old.

The results have paid off so far, as Los Angeles is currently the number three seed in the Western Conference, the same spot where they finished the regular season last year.

The Lakers will hope that their playoff result this time will be a little different from last year’s gentlemen’s sweep at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Colin Cowherd offered a new comparison involving LeBron James and Michael Jordan during the latest episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, discussing James’ growing offensive role with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The comments came after the Lakers’ 142-130 win over the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night, a game that showcased the team’s offensive depth with strong performances from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

Cowherd began the segment by revisiting his earlier predictions about the season, noting the unusual circumstances created by Doncic entering his prime while James remains a central figure in the offense.

“What’s really happened this year that has made it tough for LeBron is that Austin Reaves has popped and now LeBron has to have the ball as the third offensive option on the Lakers. So asking a guy who was the face of the NBA for 20 years, ‘Hey, we not only need you to be off the ball with Luka. [Doncic]But also Austin Reeves’. This is a great question. I don’t think Michael Jordan would have done that. I don’t think most of the all-time players are going to do that.”

Cowherd continued by emphasizing that James’ willingness to adapt reflects his focus on winning rather than individual scoring.

“And the fact is LeBron has always been about winning and he has won and I’ve defended him before when he didn’t take big shots like MJ or Kobe, and I will say he’s a winning player, he plays perfect basketball.”

“Asking a guy who was the face of the NBA for 20 years, ‘Hey, we need to be off the ball with not only Luka [Doncic]But also Austin Reeves’. This is a great question. I don’t think Michael Jordan would have done that.”

Colin Cowherd on LeBron James 👀pic.twitter.com/3m4iqLnGBj

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 13 March 2026

He ultimately concluded the segment by reiterating the difficulty of asking a player of James’ stature to transition to a tertiary offensive role.

“I think that’s a big question. I don’t think MJ would have done it, I don’t think a lot of stars who can still play at LeBron’s level individually would do it. But LeBron has always been a winning player, I think he deserves credit for committing to this kind of basketball when you can score 24 or more a night for half the teams in the league.”

Colin Cowherd’s Michael Jordan comparison highlights LeBron James’ evolving Lakers role

James’ performance Thursday reflected the Lakers’ evolving offensive structure. The 41-year-old finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block, while shooting 7-for-13 from the field and 4-for-6 from the free-throw line in 33 minutes.

Doncic led the Lakers with an impressive performance, recording 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, while adding three steals and a block. He shot 17 for 31 from the field and made nine of his 14 attempts from three-point range in 37 minutes.

Reeves also played a key role in the win, scoring 30 points with seven assists, five rebounds and one steal, while shooting 13-for-20 from the field and 4-for-7 from three in 39 minutes.

Now in his 23rd NBA season, James is averaging 21.4 points per game – his lowest scoring average since posting 20.9 points as a rookie during the 2003–04 season. He averaged seven assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks while shooting 50.5 percent from the field and 31 percent from three-point range in 45 games.

The win improved the Lakers to 41–25 on the season and clinched the third seed in the Western Conference. Los Angeles will host the Denver Nuggets (41-26) on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. on ABC before beginning a six-game road trip Monday night against the Houston Rockets (40-25).

LeBron James didn’t have to do much in his return from an elbow injury on Thursday, as Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves scored as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Chicago Bulls, 142-130, at Crypto.com Arena.

James had missed his last three games, all of which the Lakers won, with Doncic and Reaves out.

Against the Bulls, Doncic went on nuclear attack with a season-high 51 points on 17-of-31 shooting, including 9-of-14 from three-point distance. He also had 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Reeves was also special with 30 points on 13-of-20 shooting, five rebounds and seven assists.

According to Benjamin Royer of the OC Register, Lakers coach JJ Redick has discussed with James about allowing Doncic and Reaves to do their thing.

“I think, again, he wants to do everything he can to help his team win, and he understands the importance of making sure Luka and AR can perform at their best,” Redick said.

James finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals as the Purple and Gold won their fourth straight game and improved to 41–25.

The 41-year-old James has always been a team player, and he understands there are games when he has to outplay Doncic and Reeves, especially when the matchups and schemes dictate it.

The four-time MVP has often praised the talent of Doncic and Reeves, empowering them to take charge when needed. Redick also praised him, giving the backcourt duo extra confidence.

Reeves, in particular, missed several weeks with a calf injury, so it’s good to see him recapture his old form and give the Lakers more firepower.

They will face the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

It will be interesting to see how the Los Angeles Lakers handle the legacy of LeBron James after he essentially hangs up his sneakers. James has spent the last eight seasons with the Lakers, and he brought a title to LA in 2020, which means he should already be a franchise legend in the eyes of the team’s fans.

It remains to be seen whether this will result in a statue of James being installed outside Crypto.com Arena, home of the Lakers. But renowned pundit Colin Cowherd doesn’t believe James will get any from the team, especially when compared to other greats from the franchise who have been immortalized.

“I think if you ask Laker fans about a statue of LeBron outside of crypto, it’s not going to be it at all. People think of statues in front of crypto. Kobe five rings. Jerry West six as an executive, and then nine Finals appearances. Magic five titles, Shaq three, Kareem five, Pat Riley several. Chick Hearn 30-plus years of broadcasting,” Cowherd said in the latest episode of his podcast, The Herd. Said.

Cowherd compared James’ role with the Lakers to that of a mentor, unlike those who came before him who could be considered family.

“Is he really family? LeBron feels more like a consultant. He adds value, a fresh set of eyes, solves problems, and then when he leaves and the contract is done, you say, OK, let’s meet again. No tears shed, no crying, it’s not family, and that’s the downside of the dynamic. LeBron is not the Lakers family,” Cowherd said.

If anything, at least according to Cowherd, James deserves a statue outside Rocket Mortgage Arena as well as the Kasia Center for his contributions to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.

“Miami, definitely. Cleveland, absolutely,” Cowherd said. “The first sentence with LeBron is Cleveland’s best ever, highest points, part of the Heat.”

Los Angeles is definitely Kobe territory, and if James receives the same recognition as the late, great Black Mamba, it could generate mixed emotions from the fan base — especially if the reactions to Bam Adebayo’s 83-point night are indicative of how much Bryant has regional fans.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves may seem like kids when they joke with each other, but when it comes time to take the court, they mean business for the Los Angeles Lakers.

On Thursday, he arrived at Crypto.com Arena and led the Lakers to a 142-130 win over the Chicago Bulls. Doncic had a stellar performance with a season-high 51 points on 17-of-31 shooting. He also had a near triple-double with 10 rebounds and nine assists. Meanwhile, Reeves scored 30 points on 13-of-20 shooting, five rebounds and seven assists.

It was another efficient performance for the backcourt duo, as the Lakers recorded their fourth consecutive win.

The talent of Doncic and Reeves didn’t diminish LeBron James, who had two adjectives for his teammates, as reported by Benjamin Royer of the OC Register.

“LeBron James calls Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves ‘magical and dynamic,'” Royer wrote on X.

It’s unclear if James chose them specifically to contrast Doncic and Reeves’ styles, but yes, “magical” suits the former, while “dynamic” is perfect for the latter.

Since entering the NBA in 2018, it always felt like Doncic had superpowers. Reeves, meanwhile, has shown vast improvement in his all-around game over the past few years.

For his part, James returned from a three-game absence due to an elbow injury against the Denver Nuggets. He finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

The Lakers won three games without him, with Doncic and Reeves leading the team together.

They improved to 41-25 and have a rematch with the Nuggets on Saturday.

The Los Angeles Lakers may face a playoff dilemma when it comes to utilizing LeBron James.

NBA insider Brett Siegel participated in the latest episode of Clutch Scoops with Tomer Azrali on March 12. Los Angeles seems to be playing better without James, but Siegel argues they still need him to play to have a chance. The insider states this but in no way gives them a chance to win the first round series.

“You can’t play with LeBron. I think you’re a better team without him, but he’s going to have to play for this team to stay in title contention. It’s not going to happen, they’re not a title contending team, but in that fantasy world a lot of Lakers fans want to live in, for this team to potentially win in the playoffs, you need LeBron next to Luka and Austin Reaves. And when you have that, you see what happens. They Not good defensively, ball movement is kind of stagnant, you have five guys lined up,” Siegel said at the 39:43 mark.

“I think their record is overstated. I think it’s a lot better than the team actually is. And I think we’ll see it when they get into a first-round series. I feel very confident in saying that they won’t win a first-round series.”

What’s next for LeBron James, Lakers

The Lakers are 26-18 with James this season and 14-7 without him. Whether his style of play looks better or not, there is no doubt that James will be active in the rotation come the playoffs.

Los Angeles has a record of 40–25 on the season, finishing in fourth place in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, while trailing the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs.

The Lakers remain at home awaiting their next matchup. They will host the Chicago Bulls on March 12 at 10:30 PM ET.