ESPN has released a 23-image gallery that traces LeBron James’ record-setting 23 seasons in the NBA, coinciding with the forward’s 41st birthday on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. The collection spans his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 through his historic father-son appearance with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2024.
Longtime league photographer Nat Butler contributed two of the featured shots. One captures James’ alley-oop dunk over Boston Celtics guard Jason Terry during Miami’s 27-game winning streak in 2013. The other shows the four-time champion exhaling cigar smoke at his postgame news conference after the Lakers clinched the 2020 title inside the Orlando bubble.
The 23 selected moments
1. Oct. 29, 2003 – James scores 25 points with nine assists, six rebounds and four steals in his NBA debut at Sacramento, capping the first quarter with his trademark “Akron Hammer” dunk.
2. May 31, 2007 – He pours in 48 points, including Cleveland’s final 25, to defeat Detroit in double overtime and seize a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.
3. June 2, 2007 – Playing 46 minutes, James posts 20 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists in Game 6 against Detroit, sending the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals. He celebrates with his son, Bronny.
4. June 14, 2007 – After San Antonio’s Finals sweep, Tim Duncan tells James, “This is going to be your league in a little while,” foreshadowing future showdowns in 2013 and 2014.
5. July 9, 2010 – The newly formed “Heatles” hold a South Beach pep rally where James predicts “not five, not six, not seven” championships.
6. Dec. 2, 2010 – In his first game back in Cleveland, James scores 38 points amid boos and thrown debris, sparking a Heat run of 21 wins in 22 games.
7. Dec. 6, 2010 – Dwyane Wade dishes a no-look pass and raises his arms before James even finishes a fast-break dunk, producing one of Miami’s iconic images.
8. June 7, 2012 – Facing elimination in Boston, James delivers 45 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in Game 6 of the East finals, keeping the Heat’s title hopes alive.
9. June 21, 2012 – Miami beats Oklahoma City 4-1 for James’ first championship and first Finals MVP award after he averages 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
10. March 18, 2013 – James scores 37 with 12 assists and soars over Terry as Miami wins in Boston for its 23rd straight victory; the streak ends at 27, second-longest in NBA history.
11. June 9, 2013 – He rejects Tiago Splitter at the rim in Game 2 of the Finals, showcasing his blend of power and timing.
12. March 3, 2014 – Wearing a protective mask, James records a career-high 61 points on 22-for-33 shooting (8-for-10 from three) against Charlotte.
13. June 19, 2016 – “The Block”: James chases down Andre Iguodala with 1:50 left in Game 7, helping Cleveland upset 73-win Golden State and end the city’s 52-year championship drought.
14. June 19, 2016 – He earns Finals MVP with averages of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.3 blocks.
15. June 22, 2016 – An estimated 1.3 million fans line Cleveland streets as James poses beneath his 10-story downtown billboard during the championship parade.
16. May 27, 2018 – Playing every second of Game 7 in Boston, James amasses 35 points, 15 boards and nine assists to reach his eighth straight Finals.
17. May 31, 2018 – He scores 51 points in Game 1 of the Finals before a late misunderstanding by J.R. Smith forces overtime, where Golden State prevails.
18. Jan. 31, 2020 – Five days after Kobe Bryant’s death, James addresses a tearful Staples Center crowd, vowing to carry on Bryant’s legacy.
19. Feb. 24, 2020 – Wearing the Lakers’ Black Mamba uniforms, James executes a two-hand reverse dunk reminiscent of Bryant’s early-career slam.
20. Oct. 11, 2020 – After 100 days in the Orlando bubble, James smokes a victory cigar at the podium as the Lakers claim their 17th championship and he secures a fourth Finals MVP, the first ever with three franchises.
21. Feb. 7, 2023 – A 14-foot fadeaway against Oklahoma City pushes James past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 career points, making him the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
22. Aug. 10, 2024 – Serving as U.S. flagbearer at the Paris Olympics, James leads “The Avengers” roster to gold over France, earning tournament MVP and his third Olympic gold medal.
23. Oct. 22, 2024 – Lakers coach JJ Redick summons both LeBron James and his son Bronny from the bench, marking the NBA’s first active father-son duo; Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. watch courtside.
The full gallery appears on ESPN.com as part of “Courtside: 40 Years of NBA Photography,” celebrating four decades of Nat Butler’s work and James’ enduring presence in front of his lens.
Source: ESPN
