If this is indeed it for LeBron James, give him credit for one thing: he was unprecedented, even until the very end.
The Oklahoma City Thunder unceremoniously swept James’ Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, May 11 in the conference semifinal round in what might be the final game of James’ storied 23-year career. James has not revealed his future plans, but will turn 42 in December and has been more vulnerable recently about how basketball is affecting his body.
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James also has nothing more to prove.
“I don’t know, honestly,” James said after the game when asked about his future. “It’s obviously still fresh with us losing. I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for me, as it stands right now tonight. I think I said last year after we lost to Minnesota that I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk to them, spend some time with them. And when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do.”
What he did this year had never been seen before. Not only did he start all 60 games he played during the regular season (adding 10 more in the postseason), he rewrote the standard for what’s possible for players 40 and older.
In the 46 games he played after turning 41 on Dec. 30, he averaged 21.1 points, 7.3 assists and 6.4 rebounds per contest. Compare that scoring figure with the next closest player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged just 10.5 points per game after his 41st birthday.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Gold medalist LeBron James of Team United States celebrates on the podium during the Men’s basketball medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on Aug. 10, 2024 in Paris, France.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James reacts while holding the Larry O’Brien trophy after defeating the Gold State Warriors to win the NBA Finals on June 19, 2016 in Oakland, California.
Powered by an amazing effort from LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers completed the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history, dethroning defending champion Golden State 93-89 to capture their first NBA title. The Cavaliers won the best-of-seven series 4-3 to claim the first league crown in their 46-season history and deliver the first major sports champion to Cleveland since the 1964 NFL Browns, ending the longest such title drought for any American city.
/ AFP / Beck Diefenbach (Photo credit should read BECK DIEFENBACH/AFP via Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
Forward LeBron James reacts against the New York Knicks in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 9, 2012 at the American Airines Arena in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated the Knicks 106-94 to advance to the next round four games to one.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 21: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat celebrates with the Larry O’Brien Finals Championship trophy after they won 121-106 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Five of the 2012 NBA Finals on June 21, 2012 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James speaks to the media on an off day following Game Three of the 2014 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Arena on June 11, 2014 in Miami, Florida.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second half at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Lakers 118-104.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James cries before the Men’s Preliminary Round Group B match Spain vs China at the London 2012 Olympic Games , on July 29, 2012 in London.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James is injured against the Charlotte Bobcats in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena on April 28, 2014 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James argues a foul call with referee John Goble #10 during the second half of a game against the Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts as the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on Dec. 25, 2022 in Dallas, Texas.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James looks on before playing against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on Jan. 30, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James signals to teammates after making a three-point shot at the end of the 3rd quarter against the Chicago Bulls in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2010 NBA Playoffs at the United Center on April 25, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cavaliers defeated the Bulls 121-98.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts during a 117-108 Lakers win over the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James shouts during a game against CSKA Moscow on October 12, 2010 in Miami, Florida. Miami heat won 96-85 over CSKA Moscow.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers attends a quarterfinal game of the 2018 NBA Summer League between the Lakers and the Detroit Pistons at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 15, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James reacts against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on March 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James sits during a training session in the leadup to the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibition match against the Orlando Magic in Shanghai in October 2007.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James at Intuit Dome on Jan. 19, 2025 in Inglewood, California.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 28, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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The many faces of basketball legend LeBron James
LeBron James falls to the court after a foul during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
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LeBron James reacts during warm up prior to the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game One of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Take this postseason: even though the Lakers fell well short of their objectives, they were missing All-Star Luka Dončić. And for much of L.A.’s first-round series against the Rockets, Austin Reaves was out, too.
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That meant that the Lakers’ hopes instantly fell squarely on James, who responded by averaging 23.2 points in the playoffs. Simply put: there has been no other player in history to be so consistently reliable this this stage of a career.
“What he’s doing at this stage of his career is remarkable,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault told reporters after the game. “Just the fact that he’s playing at this stage of his career is remarkable. The level he’s able to get to at this stage is unbelievable.
“And he is a guy that … if you make a mistake on him, he’s going to make you pay for it, and it actually helps you improve. Like, he’s developing your team because any crack, he’s going to find it.”
Even in Monday night’s Game 4 loss, James chiseled away to a steady 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting, adding 12 rebounds and 3 assists.
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Frankly, that claim could be stretched to his entire career.
James has been available throughout his playing days at a near absurd level. Not only has he avoided major injury, his 61,030 regular season minutes are an all-time record and come out to 42.4 days.
He also entered Monday night with 12,405 playoff minutes, another all-time record.
FAN WEIGH IN: What to make of LeBron’s tenure with Lakers
Forget the discussions about where James ranks compared with Jordan or Kobe or Kareem or Wilt because those conversations tend to be reductive and difficult to quantify.
What’s undeniable is that James has been the premier player of this generation — a 22-time All-Star and four-time Most Valuable Player who won four championships with three different teams. If this was his last game, he was an ambassador of the sport and he elevated the play of his teammates. He outworked his competition and stayed in peak physical condition. He stayed out of controversy and enriched the communities in which he played.
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“My rookie year, I had no idea what the hell was going on, and he basically took me under his wing and has given me every opportunity that I could ever ask for,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves told reporters after the game.
“Trusted me. Further than the court, I could build a real friendship — he’s into golf right now so we’re a lot closer — so it has been super fun. I hope to continue to do that. He has taught me a lot. I owe him a lot for my career.”
James did have his detractors, as all great players do. But if this was in fact his last game, appreciate the production and longevity. Appreciate the commitment to the sport. Because like Jordan, like Kobe, like Kareem and like Wilt, there will never be another LeBron James.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Reflecting on LeBron James’ career after what might be his final game