Lakers' LeBron James: Logs 17 points on 41st birthday
Rotowire
James supplied 17 points (6-17 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-5 FT), four rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 32 minutes during Tuesday's 128-106 loss to the Pistons.
James eventually spent the rest of his birthday on the bench once the game was out of hand, capping his third-lowest total of the month in the loss. While James became the 12th player in NBA history to appear in an NBA game at age 41 or older, the milestone was diluted by another loss for the Lakers, who have lost four of their last five games.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Logs 24 points in victory
Rotowire
James posted 24 points (11-13 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, five assists and two steals in 29 minutes during Sunday's 125-101 win over the Kings.
The Lakers looked sharper against the Kings, and James has done his best to account for Austin Reaves' absences with serviceable numbers. James returned to 20-point territory after a down game against the Rockets and is definitely embracing his adjusted role as a ball distributor. He's logged double-digit assists three times this season, which has accounted for two of his three double-doubles.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Decent production in blowout loss
Rotowire
James chipped in 18 points (7-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 32 minutes during Thursday's 119-96 loss to Houston.
James was efficient from the field but lacked explosiveness or gaudy numbers in the Lakers' Christmas Day loss, snapping a four-game streak of 20-plus-point outings. The combined seven rebounds and assists fell well below the 12.3 he averaged over his 12 games this season entering Thursday, though his ability to still perform at a high level at nearly 41 years old remains incredible.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Drops team-high 23 in loss
Rotowire
James closed with 23 points (7-14 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-11 FT), two rebounds and six assists across 26 minutes during Tuesday's 132-108 loss to Phoenix.
The Lakers did their best to compensate for the absence of Luka Doncic (leg), with all five starters scoring in double digits and James leading the way. The future Hall of Famer has found a groove in December, scoring at least 19 points in six straight games while averaging 26.8 points, 6.3 boards, 6.2 assists, 1.8 threes, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals a night.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Scores 36 points in rout
Rotowire
James finished with 36 points (15-28 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-5 FT), four rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals across 38 minutes during Saturday's 103-88 loss to the Clippers.
James worked tirelessly to keep the Lakers in this game, but losing Luka Doncic (leg) at halftime was the final nail in the coffin. The team was already struggling without Austin Reaves (calf), Deandre Ayton (elbow) and Rui Hachimura (groin), and even a generational talent like James couldn't turn the game around. Doncic's injury doesn't appear to be serious, but the Lakers can take solace in the fact that James is more than capable of picking up the slack despite his age.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Drops double-double in win
Rotowire
James registered 28 points (8-17 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 12-13 FT), seven rebounds, 10 assists and one steal over 33 minutes during Thursday's 143-135 win over the Jazz.
Although James tweaked his knee and was knocked in the jaw during the second quarter, he kept playing and finished with his third double-double of the season. Since his 14-game absence to begin the season, James has taken a seat for at least one game during back-to-back sets and logged only 10 appearances, but the Lakers have no back-to-back scenarios until 2026. James should continue his regular contributions for the remainder of the year.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Puts up 26 points
Rotowire
James totaled 26 points (8-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 9-14 FT), three rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals over 36 minutes during Sunday's 116-114 victory over the Suns.
James has shown signs of life lately after a slow start to the 2025-26 campaign. He averaged 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in his first six appearances of the year after putting a right sciatica injury behind him, but he's responded by putting up 20-plus points in two of his last three games, while averaging 8.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 2.0 blocks over this brief stretch.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Big double-double in loss
Rotowire
James generated 19 points (7-14 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 15 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks across 36 minutes of Wednesday's 132-119 loss to San Antonio.
Since being cleared for action in mid-November, James has taken a back seat to Luka Doncic and, occasionally, Austin Reaves from a scoring standpoint. Still, the 40-year-old has been productive elsewhere, and he thrived in the peripheral categories against the Spurs. He more than doubled his previous season high of seven rebounds, and he surpassed his previous season total of two blocks Wednesday night.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Erupts for 29 points
Rotowire
James registered 29 points (12-17 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal over 34 minutes during Sunday's 112-108 win over the 76ers.
James put together his best scoring performance of the young campaign, shooting with efficiency everywhere on the court in Sunday's victory. His four made treys were also a season high and a welcome sight after struggling to a 1-for-9 clip from deep over his last two matchups.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Available to play
Rotowire
James (sciatica/foot) is available for Sunday's game in Philadelphia, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
James is back after a one-game stint on the sidelines, which will likely result in Jake LaRavia returning to the second unit, and there will be fewer minutes available for Dalton Knecht. James is averaging 14.0 points, 7.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 three-pointers per game this season.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Upgraded to probable
Rotowire
James (sciatica/foot) has been upgraded to probable for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
James missed Friday's loss to Boston -- the second leg of a back-to-back set -- due to sciatica and arthritis in his left foot, though he's likely to return to action Sunday. The veteran forward has appeared in six regular-season games thus far, averaging 14.0 points, 7.8 assists and 4.3 rebounds across 32.8 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Iffy for Sunday
Rotowire
James (sciatica/foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the 76ers, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Lakers continue to manage James' availability due to sciatica and arthritis in his left foot, and he could miss his second consecutive contest Sunday. If the veteran forward is ultimately ruled out, Jake LaRavia, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht and Adou Thiero are all candidates for a bump in minutes.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Ruled out Friday
Rotowire
James (sciatica/foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Celtics, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
After posting eight points (4-17 FG, 0-5 3Pt), 11 assists and six rebounds in 36 minutes during Thursday's win over Toronto, James will miss the second leg of the Lakers' back-to-back set due to left foot joint arthritis and sciatica. The superstar's next opportunity to suit up will come Sunday against the 76ers. With the veteran forward sidelined, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht and Maxi Kleber are candidates for increased playing time.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Unlikely to play Friday
Rotowire
James is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against Boston due to left foot joint arthritis and a right sciatica injury, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
James is slated to sit out the tail end of the Lakers' back-to-back set after snapping a 1,297-game streak of scoring in double figures Thursday. With Luka Doncic (personal) already ruled out, Austin Reaves would take on a featured role in the offense, while Jake LaRavia, Maxi Kleber and Adou Thiero could see more minutes if James doesn't play.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Historic streak ends
Rotowire
James notched eight points (4-17 FG, 0-5 3Pt), six rebounds and 11 assists in 36 minutes during Thursday's 123-120 victory over the Raptors.
James' historic streak in which he's scored 10 or more points in 1,297 consecutive games officially ended Thursday night. James did have the ball in his hands to close this game out, but he opted to pass it to a wide-open Rui Hachimura in the corner as the Lakers pulled out the win. James had a tough night shooting the ball in Luka Doncic's (personal) absence, but his playmaking combined with Austin Reaves' offensive explosion was enough to get the Lakers over the line.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Good to go Monday
Rotowire
James (foot) is available for Monday's game against Phoenix, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
After missing Sunday's win over the Pelicans, which was the front end of a back-to-back set, James is no longer appearing on the injury report. With the veteran being well rested, it's unlikely he will face restrictions against the Suns.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Ruled out Sunday
Rotowire
James (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
James will sit out the front end of Los Angeles' back-to-back set due to left foot injury management, and he'll look to return in Monday's tilt against Phoenix. With the superstar sidelined, Jake LaRavia and Maxi Kleber are candidates for increased minutes, while Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht could enter the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Questionable for Sunday
Rotowire
James is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pelicans due to left foot injury management, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
This shouldn't be much of a surprise, as James is 40 years old and coming off an injury that sidelined him in the preseason and the early stages of the 2025-26 campaign. Considering this game against the Pelicans is the first of a back-to-back set for the Lakers, the team is doing its due diligence by monitoring the workload of the star forward. James is averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.0 steals per game in four outings this season.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Drops season-high 25 in win
Rotowire
James closed with 25 points (9-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), six rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 32 minutes during Tuesday's 135-118 victory over the Clippers.
The 25 points represented James' best output in three games since making his belated season debut. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 17.7 points, 8.7 assists, 5.0 boards, 1.3 threes and 1.0 steals in 32.0 minutes a game so far, and while the Lakers will be cautious with the 40-year-old's workload, James is still more than capable of posting strong numbers when he's on the court.
... See More... See Less
Lakers' LeBron James: Rounding into form
Rotowire
James ended Sunday's 108-106 victory over Utah with 17 points (8-18 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, eight assists and one steal over 34 minutes.
After attempting just seven shots in his season debut Tuesday, James saw his volume get back to normal in his first road game. The future Hall of Famer played at least 30 minutes in both contests, but the next real test for James' workload will come next week, when the Lakers play back-to-back games at home Sunday against the Mavs and Monday against the Pelicans. So far, however, the sciatica that delayed the start of his record-setting 23rd NBA campaign hasn't flared back up.
