LeBron James’s record 23rd season has come to a close after the Thunder took Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals, 115–110, on Monday night and completed the sweep of the Lakers. James had to steer the ship for a good portion of Los Angeles’s postseason run.
Luka Dončić wasn’t able to return and Austin Reaves came back late in the first round, but James was able to guide the Lakers through the opening round against the Rockets before the dreaded matchup with Oklahoma City. In the final game of Year 23, James had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the 147th playoff double-double in his career. That passed Wilt Chamberlain (146) and trails only Tim Duncan (164) and Magic Johnson (157) for the most playoff double-doubles in NBA history. On the season, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game—still performing at a high level even after he turned 41 on Dec. 30.
