LeBron James Drops 40 at 40! Lakers’ Star Defies Time in Gritty Win Over Blazers
The Los Angeles Lakers rolled into Portland in the dead of night, weary from back-to-back games and missing key star Luka Doncic. Yet, in a performance that defied logic, age, and fatigue, LeBron James, at 40 years old, dropped a jaw-dropping 40 points, leading the Lakers to a hard-fought 110-102 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Defying Limits—Again
Lakers’ head coach JJ Redick was well aware of the challenge ahead, with a battered squad arriving at their hotel at nearly 3 a.m. But LeBron? He wasn’t fazed. Instead, he delivered another historic performance, proving yet again that Father Time simply doesn’t apply to him.
“He really just defies anything that’s normal,” Redick said. “He’s 40, a billionaire, and has every accolade imaginable—yet he’s still out here grinding, playing on the second night of a back-to-back. It’s unreal.”
LeBron’s response to why he keeps pushing? Simple: his love for the game and a chance to show his son, Bronny James, the ropes of being an NBA professional.
“I still got a lot to give,” LeBron said. “I don’t have much time left, but while I’m here, I’m going to give it everything I have. Plus, I get to teach my son firsthand. That’s a blessing.”
Making History (Again)
LeBron’s 40-point explosion marked his second since turning 40, making him the only player in NBA history to accomplish the feat multiple times at that age. The Lakers? 2-0 in those games.
If that wasn’t enough, James also surpassed Vince Carter for third place on the NBA’s all-time regular-season games played list, appearing in his 1,542nd career game.
The one blemish on his stat line? 11 turnovers, tying a career-high. But in typical LeBron fashion, his teams remain undefeated when he hits double-digit turnovers (3-0). Go figure.
Redick’s Secret Formula: Play Hard
Despite poor three-point shooting (9-for-32, 28.1%) and 24 turnovers leading to 31 Blazers points, the Lakers found a way to win. Why? Effort.
“There’s actually only one cheat code in the NBA, and that’s playing hard,” Redick emphasized. “If you bring energy every night, you always have a chance.”
LeBron echoed that sentiment: “Playing hard makes up for a lot of mistakes. It’s how you win games.”
Austin Reaves Steps Up
While LeBron stole the show, Austin Reaves delivered 32 points and seven assists, making critical defensive plays late in the game. For Reaves, just knowing LeBron was suiting up boosted his confidence.
“He really doesn’t have anything else to prove,” Reaves said. “And if people say he does, then they’re [Michael] Jordan fans.”
With LeBron showing no signs of slowing down, the Lakers might have just enough firepower to make a serious run. But how long can he keep this up? If history tells us anything, betting against LeBron is never a good idea.
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