LeBron James may be in his 23rd NBA season, but don’t let the number fool you-he’s still putting on a show that defies time, gravity, and expectations. Friday night in Washington, the 41-year-old reminded everyone why he’s still must-watch basketball, throwing down a vintage alley-oop that looked straight out of his Miami Heat highlight reel.
Midway through the second quarter, the Lakers were already in control against the Wizards when center Deandre Ayton found himself with the ball in the paint. Luka Doncic had set the table with a crisp feed, and as Washington's defense collapsed on Ayton, a lane opened up like a runway.
LEBRON JAMES THROWS IT DOWN WITH THE LEFT HAND 😱💥
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 31, 2026
WOW!
pic.twitter.com/83XI8AigJi
LeBron saw it, cut hard from the wing, and Ayton lobbed it up. What happened next?
A left-handed hammer from James that sent the Lakers bench into a frenzy and had fans doing double takes-was that really a 41-year-old finishing an oop like that?
Yes, it was. And yes, he’s still got it.
It’s the kind of play we’ve seen from LeBron for over two decades now, but it never gets old. The timing, the coordination, the lift-those are things most players see fade as they age.
Not LeBron. He’s still finding ways to elevate-literally and figuratively-when the moment calls for it.
By the end of the third quarter, the Lakers were cruising with a 108-84 lead, and James had already put together a strong night. Through three quarters, he tallied 18 points on an efficient 53.8% shooting clip, along with two rebounds and four assists. It wasn’t just the highlight dunk-he was in rhythm all night, picking his spots and making the most of them.
This game marked LeBron’s 30th appearance of the 2025-26 season, and his production continues to be remarkably consistent. Heading into Friday’s matchup, he was averaging 22.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game, while shooting an impressive 50.2% from the field and 32.1% from deep. Those aren’t just solid numbers for a veteran-they’re impactful stats that continue to drive winning basketball for the Lakers.
And that’s the bottom line: LeBron’s not just hanging around. He’s still helping L.A. stack wins, and plays like Friday’s alley-oop are a reminder that even in year 23, the King hasn’t given up his crown just yet.