LeBron James sure didn’t look like a 39-year-old against the Nuggets.
LeBron James is 39 years old. Have you heard? He was drafted way back in 2003. This is his 21st season in the NBA. James has outlasted multiple generations of his rivals at this point in his career, and he’s still performing at an All-NBA level.
James isn’t the best player in the NBA anymore (that guy is on Denver), and hasn’t been in about five years. But even in his basketball golden years, James is still incredible, and he just proved it again in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
Before the Lakers completely collapsed and allowed Jamal Murray to rip their hearts out in Game 2 of their first round series with the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles roared out to a 20-point lead behind a vintage performance from James. There were at least three amazing sequences from James throughout the night that simply shouldn’t be possible for someone his age.
James’ most stunning sequence might have come in the second quarter. He blocked Murray’s shot, sprinted down the floor, and finished a layup from an impossible angle off an outlet pass from Anthony Davis. Watch the play here:
Seriously, how did LeBron make that? Tackled from behind, body nearly horizontal, just flipping his wrist … it’s wild stuff.
This photo is art.
James finished with 26 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds on the night. The numbers are good, but actually watching an all-time great turn back the clock for a few mind-blowing plays is even more impressive.
Earlier in the first half, James rotated over for a beautiful weak side block on Murray for another brilliant highlight.
James also blew up Murray’s shot attempt in the fourth quarter, and finished with a breathtaking dunk.
LeBron is still unbelievably good — and not just for someone turning 40 years old later this year.
For as great as James is, he finally found the one challenge he can’t conquer. The Nuggets have now won 10 straight games against the Lakers, which includes last year’s sweep in the Western Conference Finals. Nikola Jokic is the new king of the NBA, and he was even more brilliant than James in Game 2 to finish with 27 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in the win.
The Lakers were never expected to win this series as a No. 7 seed, but they were seconds away from bringing the series back to LA with a 1-1 tie. James put his team in that position. Only this time, there’s finally a player even better than him on the other side.
