LeBron James turned back the clock in a big way last night, delivering a vintage performance in the Lakers’ 143-135 shootout win over the Utah Jazz. At 41 years old, James looked anything but his age, putting up 28 points on 8-of-17 shooting, grabbing seven boards, and dishing out 10 assists in just 33 minutes of action.
And if there was any doubt he still has that trademark explosiveness, he silenced it midway through the third quarter-catching a pass from Rui Hachimura and rising up for one of his signature tomahawk dunks. That one had the crowd on its feet and the bench going wild.
This wasn’t just a one-night flashback, either. LeBron’s been on a tear lately.
Over his last five games, he’s averaging 25.5 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists while shooting a scorching 53.8% from the field. He’s also been relentless attacking the rim, earning frequent trips to the line-where he’s knocked down 21 of his last 27 free throws (77%).
That kind of efficiency and aggression is part of what’s kept him not just relevant, but dominant, even in his third decade in the league.
In three of his last four outings, James has dropped at least 25 points, including a 26-point showing against the Suns and a hyper-efficient 29-point night (on 12-of-17 shooting) in a win over the Sixers. It’s clear he’s found a rhythm, and when LeBron’s in rhythm, the Lakers become a different kind of threat.
Remember, James missed the first 16 games of the season due to a sciatica issue, and there were questions about how quickly he’d get back up to speed. Those questions are being answered loudly.
On the season, he’s averaging 18.6 points while shooting nearly 47% from the floor. His 7.5 assists per game not only show he’s still orchestrating the offense at a high level-they rank second on the team.
And speaking of the Lakers’ offense, it’s been humming thanks to the trio of James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves. Together, they’re combining for a staggering 81.6 points per game-accounting for more than 68% of the team’s total scoring.
Dončić is leading the league with 35.2 points a night, while Reaves is having a breakout season, averaging a career-best 27.8. When these three are clicking, the Lakers are tough to slow down.
Next up, the Lakers (now 19-7 and sitting third in the Western Conference) face off against the Clippers on Saturday night. They’ve won three of their last four and seem to be finding their stride as the season heads into the thick of winter. With LeBron playing at this level, and the supporting cast firing on all cylinders, the Lakers are starting to look like a team no one wants to see come playoff time.