Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James just had one of the best offensive games of his career on Easter Sunday, recording 40 points and five assists against the Brooklyn Nets while knocking down nine triples.
The king of the court shot 13-17 from the field and 9-10 from 3 on his way to a true shooting percentage of 101.8, the highest in his 21-year career, per ESPN research producer Matt Williams. James became the second player in franchise history to make at least nine 3-pointers in a game, joining Lakers icon Kobe Bryant, who completed the feat four times. With his performance, James also broke a tie with Hall of Fame wing Michael Jordan for the most games scoring at least 30 points. To help frame that accomplishment, consider that Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain ranks third all-time in career 30+ point games and has 115 fewer such games than James.
LeBron James Breaks Michael Jordan Tie, Addresses Retirement
Following the Lakers’ victory over the Nets, the 39-year-old addressed his playing future after being asked how long he has left in the NBA.
“Not very long,” James says. “I’m on the other side —obviously —of the heel. I’m not going to play another 21 years. That’s for damn sure. Not very long. I don’t know when that door will close as far as when I retire, but I don’t have much time left.”
During the 2023-24 NBA All-Star Break, James offered similar sentiments about his future outlook. At the time, the ailing James would say:
“I don’t know how it’s going to end, but it’s coming.”
James reportedly deliberated retirement last offseason, announcing during the ESPY Awards that he would return for the 2023-24 season. That said, it seems as if the four-time MVP has been seriously considering when he’s going to hang up his jersey. Indeed, he’s already thinking about if he’s going to have a retirement tour.
Nonetheless, no matter what James decides, his greatness will echo through generations.
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