The Los Angeles Lakers rolled through Washington on Friday night, notching a dominant 142-111 win over the Wizards and improving to 4-2 on their current road trip. But while the scoreboard told one story, the subtext told another - one centered around the incredible staying power of LeBron James.
Now in his 23rd NBA season, LeBron continues to redefine what longevity looks like in professional sports. And during the broadcast, a stat popped up that perfectly encapsulated just how long he’s been doing this at the highest level: more than half of the Wizards' active roster wasn’t even born when LeBron made his NBA debut.
Let that sink in.
James first stepped onto an NBA court on October 29, 2003. That season, he won Rookie of the Year and immediately looked like the future of the league. Fast forward to 2026, and he’s still here - not just playing, but producing at a level that would be impressive for someone 10 years younger.
Of the 10 Wizards who saw the floor against the Lakers, five - Alex Sarr, Will Riley, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, and Bilal Coulibaly - hadn’t even been born when LeBron debuted. The other five - Anthony Gill, Sharife Cooper, Jamir Watkins, Malaki Branham, and Justin Champagnie - were just kids. That’s not just rare; that’s unprecedented.
At 41 years old, James is currently the oldest player in the NBA, and no one else has ever reached a 23rd season in league history. And yet, he’s still putting up numbers that matter.
Coming into Friday’s game, he was averaging 22.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 50.2% from the field. His minutes are still hovering above 33 per game - a workload that would be demanding for any player, let alone one in his fifth presidential administration.
It’s also worth noting that LeBron opted into the final year of his contract this past offseason, which means he’s set to hit unrestricted free agency at the end of the season. That’s fueled plenty of speculation about what’s next, but true to form, James hasn’t tipped his hand. He’s keeping the focus on the present - and for now, that means helping the Lakers stack wins and stay competitive in a crowded Western Conference.
Whether or not this is LeBron’s final chapter remains to be seen. But what’s undeniable is that we’re watching something historic. A player who’s not just outlasting generations, but still impacting games in a major way - even as he shares the court with players who grew up watching his highlights on YouTube.
And on nights like this, when the Lakers dominate and LeBron continues to defy time, it’s a reminder: greatness doesn’t just fade away. Sometimes, it keeps going - one game, one season, one era at a time.