LeBron James' Incredible Resilience in the 2025-26 NBA Season

As the Los Angeles Lakers kick off the 2025-26 NBA season, star player LeBron James remains resolute in his ability to defy age and continue performing at a high level. Fresh off a commanding 125-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings, James reflected on his ongoing battle against Father Time, mentioning his famous Nike commercial as a testament to his determination.

Since turning 40, James has demonstrated remarkable consistency, averaging 23.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists over 56 games. While he may not be as explosive as in his prime, the 21-time All-Star continues to achieve milestones that no other NBA player at his age has matched. However, the effects of aging are evident; James has missed significant playing time due to right-side sciatica, sitting out the first 14 games of the season and two additional games in late November and early December.

To qualify for end-of-season honors, players need to appear in at least 65 games, giving James a narrow margin to maintain his bid for a historic 22nd consecutive All-NBA selection. Adding to the narrative, James faced a rare statistical setback on December 4 when he scored fewer than 10 points in a game for the first time since 2007, signaling adjustments in his role as the Lakers’ offense shifts to feature rising star Luka Dončić.

Despite these challenges, James remains optimistic about the team's future. He is currently averaging 20.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists when healthy this season. The Lakers' path forward hinges on keeping James available as they approach the critical playoff season. In his own words, “I don’t want to create the narrative of [just] me and Luka. It’s five guys on the floor and seven guys that come off the bench. It needs to be all of us. [But] it’s important that we set the tone.”