LOS ANGELES — LeBron James continues to defy age on the basketball court, recently establishing a new benchmark for older players in the NBA. The 40-year-old forward reached a remarkable milestone by scoring 42 points during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 120-112 win over the Golden State Warriors, making him the oldest player to net 40 points in a game. This achievement also allowed him to surpass Michael Jordan, who scored 40 points for the Washington Wizards shortly after turning 40 in February 2003.
When reflecting on his accomplishment, James stated, “I’m old, that’s my take. I need a glass of wine and some sleep, that’s what I think.” Though Jordan accomplished this feat just days after his birthday, James has only recently celebrated his own, making this achievement all the more impressive. Now in his record-tying 22nd season, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer continues to showcase his superior skills on the court.
Interestingly, this event marks a fitting milestone for James, as he is simultaneously recognized as the youngest player to ever score 40 points in an NBA game. Achieving this feat at just 19 years of age while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the New Jersey Nets back on March 27, 2004, underscores the remarkable scope of his career. “Throughout my journey, anytime I’ve been named or put in a category of whatever the case, to cross paths with the greats is always humbling,” James remarked. “Just to know where I come from and I love the game so much, so it’s pretty cool.”
In addition to his scoring efforts, James secured a season-high 17 rebounds and tallied eight assists, proving crucial in the fourth quarter against the Warriors’ top player, Stephen Curry, who also had an impressive game with 37 points. Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised James, stating, “We’ve run out of words and superlatives and descriptions to capture what he’s doing at this stage of his career and at this age. It continues to be remarkable. It really does, and he really led us tonight.”
Adding to the excitement, James is poised to partner with Luka Doncic, who watched the game from the sidelines after joining the Lakers in a trade with Dallas. James expressed eagerness about playing alongside Doncic, showcasing admiration for his talent. “I can’t wait, because everything I do on the floor, he has the ability to do it or do it even better,” he said. “He’s a special player, a generational talent, so I’m super-appreciative to be able to share the floor with him and then watch him do his thing.”
Throughout the game against the Warriors, James consistently displayed his scoring prowess, particularly during a second-quarter burst where he contributed 18 points, including three consecutive three-pointers. The highlight moment was a shot from near the Lakers’ logo at midcourt, which earned him a roar of approval from the crowd. Teammate Rui Hachimura humorously crowned him with an imaginary crown, amplifying the celebratory atmosphere.
As the game neared its conclusion, the Warriors cut down a significant Lakers lead to just five points. However, James responded emphatically by sinking his sixth three-pointer with over a minute remaining. He capped off his performance with a near-half-court assist to Hachimura for a dunk, solidifying the Lakers’ victory. Despite falling short of a triple-double once again, he remains the second-oldest player in NBA history to achieve this feat and is still only about three months shy of matching the record held by Karl Malone since 2003. James’s 10 triple-doubles this season further affirm his status as a premier player, even at this stage of his illustrious career.
