LeBron James Hits a Rare Slow Stretch - But Don’t Count Him Out Yet
LeBron James is many things - a four-time champion, a 20-time All-Star, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer - but even he isn’t immune to the occasional dip in production. At 40 years old and in his 23rd NBA season, the Lakers legend is showing signs that, yes, he’s human. Still, if history has taught us anything, it’s that betting against LeBron rarely pays off.
Over his last five games, James has averaged 15.2 points per game - his lowest scoring stretch over a five-game span since his rookie year back in 2003. For context, even during a December stretch in that debut season, he was still putting up 20.2 points per game. That’s how rare this current lull is.
Monday night’s 125-108 loss to the Suns was another tough outing. James logged 31 minutes but finished with just 10 points and three assists, along with a -10 player impact rating. That’s not the kind of stat line we’re used to seeing from him, especially in a game where the Lakers needed a spark.
There was at least one vintage LeBron moment - though it came from the sidelines rather than the stat sheet. After Dillon Brooks missed a dunk attempt over Bronny James, LeBron gave Brooks a very clear thumbs-down. A quiet message, but unmistakably classic LeBron: competitive, aware, and never one to let a moment slip by.
The Lakers now sit at 15-5 and face a tough stretch ahead. They’ll host the Toronto Raptors on Thursday before back-to-back heavyweight matchups against the Celtics on Friday and the 76ers on Sunday. It’s a three-game stretch that could be telling - not just for the Lakers’ momentum, but for how James responds to this rare scoring slump.
It’s also worth noting that James recently returned from a right foot injury that kept him out against the Pelicans. Whether that’s playing a role in his current dip is unclear, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Despite the recent slowdown, LeBron’s career numbers remain jaw-dropping. He holds the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring in double figures - 1,800 and counting - and is the only player in league history to average 20 or more points in every season of his career. That level of consistency, especially across two-plus decades, is almost unfathomable.
And while the NBA continues to evolve - with pace-and-space offenses, positionless basketball, and an ever-increasing reliance on three-point shooting - James has adapted at every turn. He’s not just kept up; he’s stayed ahead of the curve. His scoring efficiency remains elite, and his ability to facilitate the offense hasn’t waned, even as the years pile up.
Over his career, he’s averaged 71 games per season - a testament to his durability and commitment to conditioning. For all the talk about age and retirement, James continues to suit up, compete, and lead. The rumors will swirl, as they always do, but LeBron has made it clear: he’s not done yet.
So yes, this may be a quiet stretch by LeBron’s towering standards. But if the past 22 years have shown us anything, it’s that a slow week doesn’t mean the King is finished - it usually means he’s gearing up for something big.