LeBron James is having another dominant season at the age of 36, and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are very much in contention once again. Many even call them the favorites.
But James isn’t certain how much longer he will play.
“I don’t know how much more I’ll be able to give to the game,” he told reporters after the Lakers’ overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. “But the way I feel right now we’ll see what happens.”
James is averaging 25.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.0 assists. He has compiled three triple-doubles on the season, including a 28-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist performance Monday.
He may have lost a hop and a skip, but it’s clear James is still the player to beat when it comes to reaching the Finals and winning championships. So there’s no reason to start thinking retirement.
Plus, he signed a two-year, $85 million extension with the Lakers before the season. It runs through 2022-23.
“I have no timetable on it,” he said. “I have no year of ‘OK, do I want to play until 30-this or 40-that.’ The game will let me know when it’s time and we’ll figure out then.”
More out of Los Angeles
- Point guard Dennis Schroder said he knew his role would be as a complementary player to James and Anthony Davis as soon as he arrived in LA this past offseason. “I play with the two best players in the world,” Schroder said, per Broderick Turner of the LA Times. “So, for me, I try to adjust to this group, to them, it’s big time. I think I just got to be more aggressive taking the right shots and putting them in good position to score and play a lot faster.”
- Meanwhile, shooting guard Wesley Matthews finally got off the bench Monday after not playing for 10 days. The reason? An injury to fellow guard Alex Caruso. “Since entering this league, nothing has gone according to what I would have dreamed of being an NBA player,” Matthews told the media. “It was unfortunate, but at the same time, it’s your job to be professional. It’s your job to stay ready.” Matthews, 34, responded with 16 points.
- The Lakers (19-6) have won five straight and trail the Utah Jazz by a half-game in the West standings. Read more about their latest win in the FortyEightMinutes recap by Rob Parks.
