The Lakers’ seven-game win streak came to a screeching halt Monday night, as they fell 125-108 to the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena. It was a humbling return to reality for a team that had been riding high, and while one loss doesn’t undo the momentum they’ve built, it did come with a moment that raised eyebrows - and maybe a few concerns - from LeBron James.
After sitting out Sunday’s win over the Pelicans due to left knee injury management, LeBron was back in uniform against the Suns. But it wasn’t his stat line - 10 points and three assists in the loss - that made headlines. It was what he said afterward.
“It’s called old,” James quipped, when asked about his ongoing injury management and the wear-and-tear he’s been feeling. “You just wake up with (expletive) that you didn’t have the night before.”
That’s not exactly the kind of quote Lakers fans want to hear from their franchise cornerstone, but it’s also not entirely surprising. LeBron is in year 21.
He’s logged more minutes than just about anyone in NBA history. At some point, even the most durable bodies start sending signals.
And here’s the thing - LeBron knows it. He’s not pretending to be invincible.
He’s acknowledging the reality that every athlete faces eventually: the game doesn’t get easier with age. The recovery takes longer.
The little aches linger. That doesn’t mean he’s shutting it down or losing his edge - far from it.
But it does mean the Lakers have to be strategic with how they manage his minutes and availability.
That’s what Sunday night was about. Not panic.
Not a sign of decline. Just smart maintenance.
For a team with championship aspirations, this is part of the process. The Lakers are playing the long game, and that means keeping LeBron fresh for when it matters most - the spring.
His ability to impact winning is still elite. He’s still the engine that drives this team.
But that engine needs a little more care these days, and that’s okay.
Yes, the loss to Phoenix was a step back. The Lakers looked flat, and the Suns took full advantage.
But in the big picture, this is a team that’s been trending upward. And as long as LeBron is in the lineup and managing his body the right way, the Lakers are still very much in the mix.
So no, the sky isn’t falling in Los Angeles. It’s just a reminder that even the greats aren’t immune to time - and that managing that reality is part of the championship equation.