In Year 21, Lakers star LeBron James is still playing at an elite level, despite being the NBA’s oldest player.
But on Tuesday, after becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 39,000 points and helping the Lakers (9–6) defeat the Jazz, 131–99, to advance to the quarterfinals of the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament, James found out that he is not only older than his peers on the court, but some of the league’s coaches as well, including Utah’s Will Hardy, who is 35.
When James, 38, was asked if he knew he was older than Hardy following the Lakers’ win on Tuesday night, the four-time NBA champion was shocked.
“I’m older than him, WOW,” James said before laughing. “Oh, my goodness. …That’s crazy.”
James might be old in age but his on-court production to start the season has been spectacular. In Tuesday’s win against the Jazz, he finished with 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. In his last five games, James has registered two performances of 30-or more points and has averaged 26.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists during this span.
the moment bron realizes this is wild https://t.co/0cTyAdvuvm pic.twitter.com/YIrfvAlPBl
— jeanie 😶🌫️😶🌫️ (@jeaniezk) November 22, 2023
James is also shooting 58.7% from the floor and 41% from three-point range this season. The Lakers, who were 3-5 before the start of the in-season tournament, have won their last three games and went undefeated against the Suns, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers and Jazz to claim Group A in the Western Conference.
