LeBron James, the first player ever to complete 23 seasons in the NBA, detailed the highs and lows of his latest campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers during the newest episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast.
The Early Setback
James, 41, opened the year on the sideline with sciatic pain, missing training camp, the entire preseason and the first 14 regular-season contests—his first absence from an NBA opener in his career. “It was challenging for me mentally,” he said, noting the struggle to regain rhythm once he returned to the floor.
Finding Chemistry, Then Losing Key Pieces
After rejoining the lineup, James and the Lakers searched for continuity amid rotating absences. Injuries to Austin Reaves and the temporary departure of Luka Doncic for the birth of his child disrupted the rotation. When healthy, the trio propelled Los Angeles into one of the league’s top offenses and a top-10 defense.
Momentum faded one week before the playoffs when Doncic suffered a hamstring strain and Reaves sustained an oblique injury. “We headed into the postseason with two of our biggest guns not playing,” James recalled.
Back to the No. 1 Role
Expecting to serve as a versatile “Swiss Army knife,” James instead resumed primary scoring duties. The Lakers eliminated the defending champions in the first round—an achievement he called “huge” under the circumstances. Reaves returned late in the series, but Doncic never suited up.
Personal Milestones and a Family Moment
Beyond team results, James cited additional records and a unique playoff highlight: sharing a 10-point burst with son Bronny James during Game 3 in Houston. “I kind of blacked out and thought, ‘How amazing is this right now,’” he said.
Looking Ahead
With free agency looming, the four-time MVP did not commit to a 24th season but outlined a decision timeline on the podcast. For now, he labels Year 23 “pretty special,” emphasizing proof he can still “carry a team into the playoffs” at this stage of his career.
Source: Lakers Nation
