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Lakers' LeBron James Explains Decision on 40-Point Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 8:21 AM ET

Heading into Thursday night's game against the Blazers, LeBron James had every reason to give himself a break. He'd sat out Sunday's NBA All-Star game with a bad ankle, a move that caused a bit of controversy, then came back and played on Wednesday in a make-up game against the Hornets, a game that ended in a disappointing loss.

Oh, and there's the fact that James is 40 years old, playing in a back-to-back during an era in which load management is a priority.

But James went out and scored 40 points with eight rebounds and four assists to lead the Lakers, who had lost two in a row, to a much-needed 110-102 win over Portland.

After the game, James was asked why he decided to play in a game that most elder veterans would have taken off.

“Because I still love the game and I still got a lot to give to the game, to give to my teammates, to give to this league for while I’m here,” James said, via the L.A. Times. “I don’t have much time left. So, while I’m here today in this time, I’m going to try to give what I got when I’m out on the floor. So, why? It’s the love of the game and I have an opportunity now to show my son the ranks of how to be a professional in this league. And to be along [with] him every single day, that’s a treat.”

A treat, too, for the Lakers who will move on to play the Nuggets in Denver on Saturday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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