LeBron James explains how age changed his love for basketball after a Lakers win, showing appreciation, strong performance, and why his 23rd NBA season still matters at age forty-one today

AD

LeBron James has spent more than two decades in the NBA, and the grind has never really stopped. At 41, nights feel different now. Each game carries weight—every warm-up matters. Time has made moments slower, louder, and more meaningful for him.

The moment came on January 6, 2026, in New Orleans. After the Los Angeles Lakers beat the New Orleans Pelicans, LeBron spoke during his post-game interview. Asked if he still loves basketball, he explained how age had changed his mindset.

“I think I have more appreciation on a night to night basis when I’m able to suit it up…I don’t wanna say I’ve never taken being in the NBA for granted but I know I’m gonna be here again,” James said, as shared by the Lakers’ post-game media team.

LeBron scored 30 points. Luka Doncic added 30 points and 10 assists. The Lakers closed strong and won 111-103. That performance helped put his words into context, showing how his approach has shifted while his impact on the court remains unchanged.

Andy Bailey’s LeBron James Retirement Call Sparks NBA Longevity Debate

LeBron James (Image Credits: Imagn)
As LeBron continues to play at a high level, speculation about his future persists. His presence alone fuels league-wide discussion. The Lakers now decide his back-to-back game status one matchup at a time, carefully tracking how his body responds at 41, especially during road stretches like the one in New Orleans, a territory the team admits it has never navigated before.

Bleacher Report writer Andy Bailey recently added to that talk. Bailey suggested LeBron could announce retirement after this season, then return for one final farewell year. The idea quickly spread across NBA circles.

The debate grows because his game has not slipped. Against New Orleans, the Lakers shot over 50.6 percent from the field. Deandre Ayton had 18 points and 11 rebounds. New Orleans struggled from deep. LeBron controlled the pace, scored late, and closed the game calmly.

For now, nothing is decided. LeBron’s words showed gratitude, not goodbye. Each night still matters to him. As long as that feeling remains, his career continues to reset how long greatness can truly last in the NBA.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.