LeBron James Turns Back the Clock in Dominant First Half vs. Bulls
At 41 years old and in his 23rd NBA season, LeBron James isn’t just defying expectations-he’s rewriting them. Monday night in Chicago, the Lakers star delivered a throwback performance that felt more like 2013 than 2026. From the opening tip at the United Center, James seized control of the game, and by halftime, he had already dropped 20 points-his highest-scoring half of the season.
What made it even more impressive? He made it look effortless.
LeBron didn’t just show up-he imposed his will. He hunted mismatches in the paint, ran the break like a freight train, and picked his moments from beyond the arc with surgical precision.
The Bulls tried throwing different looks at him-switching, doubling, sagging-but it didn’t matter. He powered through contact, punished defenders who gave him space, and orchestrated the Lakers’ offense with the kind of command that only comes with two decades of experience at the highest level.
The highlight of the night came on a fast-break dunk that could’ve been pulled straight from his Miami Heat reel. It was the kind of play that made the crowd collectively gasp-because it wasn’t just a great dunk, it was a reminder: LeBron James is still that guy.
By the time the teams headed into the locker room, the Lakers had built a 69-56 lead, and James was the engine behind it all. Los Angeles came into the game 27-17 and favored, despite missing key contributors like Austin Reaves, who was out with a calf strain. That meant more weight on LeBron’s shoulders-and he carried it like he always has, steadying the lineup and creating space for teammates to operate.
Luka Doncic contributed, but there was no mistaking who was in charge. This was LeBron’s show.
Chicago entered the night riding a four-game win streak, looking like a team that had figured some things out. But they didn’t have an answer for LeBron.
Coby White and Josh Giddey tried to keep the Bulls in it, but every time they made a push, James responded. Whether it was a deep three, a drive through contact, or a perfectly timed assist, he had a counter for everything.
And the fans-both in the arena and online-took notice.
Social media lit up with reactions that ranged from awe to disbelief. One fan summed it up: “A legend putting on a masterclass.
Pure dominance.” Another wrote, “Terrorizing the Bulls for 20 years,” a nod to LeBron’s long history of big performances against Chicago.
From “unstoppable” to “feels like he’s playing in a different league,” the consensus was clear-LeBron’s still got it, and then some.
As the Lakers continue their road trip, nights like this serve as a reminder: LeBron James isn’t just extending his career-he’s still setting the tone. And at 41, that’s nothing short of remarkable.