LeBron James may be in his 23rd NBA season, but don’t tell his legs that.
During Friday night’s road matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Washington Wizards, the 41-year-old superstar delivered a vintage moment that had fans doing a double take. Midway through the second quarter, James soared for an alley-oop finish that looked like it came straight out of his Miami Heat highlight reel.
LEBRON JAMES THROWS IT DOWN WITH THE LEFT HAND 😱💥
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 31, 2026
WOW!
pic.twitter.com/83XI8AigJi
The sequence started with center Deandre Ayton catching a pass from Luka Doncic at the heart of the Wizards’ defense. As Washington collapsed on Ayton, James saw daylight and cut hard toward the basket.
Ayton lobbed it up, and LeBron did the rest-rising with ease and hammering it home with his left hand. It was the kind of play that’s defined his Hall of Fame career, and somehow, he’s still pulling it off in Year 23.
This wasn’t just a flash of nostalgia-it was a reminder that LeBron still has gas in the tank, and then some.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Lakers were firmly in control, leading 108-84. And James had been a steady force throughout, putting up 18 points on an efficient 53.8% shooting clip, along with four assists and a pair of rebounds. It’s the kind of all-around impact that’s become routine for him, even as he continues to defy Father Time.
Friday’s contest marked James’ 30th game of the 2025-26 season. Through his first 29, he’s been as reliable as ever-averaging 22.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per night, while shooting a clean 50.2% from the field. His three-point shooting sits at 32.1%, a respectable mark given the volume and the minutes he’s logging.
What we’re seeing isn’t just longevity-it’s sustained excellence. And with the Lakers pushing for their 29th win of the season, performances like this from LeBron are keeping them firmly in the playoff mix. Whether it’s a highlight-reel dunk or a quiet night of efficient production, James continues to show why he's still one of the most impactful players in the league.
At this point, it’s not about what LeBron can still do. It’s about how much longer he can keep doing it. And based on Friday night, the answer might just be: as long as he wants.