LeBron James turned back the clock on Friday night-and then some.
In the Lakers’ dominant 142-111 win over the Washington Wizards, James delivered not one, not two, but three highlight-reel dunks that had the crowd buzzing and social media lighting up. And while the scoreboard told the story of a blowout, LeBron’s aerial display reminded everyone that age really is just a number-especially when you’re talking about one of the greatest to ever do it.
The most jaw-dropping of the trio? A soaring alley-oop finish off a left-handed lob from Deandre Ayton.
That one had shades of vintage LeBron, the kind of dunk that used to be a nightly occurrence in his Miami and early Cleveland days. But that wasn’t the only moment.
He followed it up with another emphatic slam, this time going right at rookie big man Alex Sarr. It was a message: LeBron may be in his 40s, but he’s still got lift, power, and that signature flair.
Even Bronny James got in on the action with a highlight dunk of his own, adding to a night full of energy and swagger for the Lakers.
After the game, head coach JJ Redick couldn’t help but join the fun. With a grin, he joked about the league trying to lure LeBron into the Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend-something fans have dreamed about for years but never seen happen.
“There’s some juice left in those legs, apparently. The great left bionic leg,” Redick said, clearly enjoying the moment.
Of course, Luka Doncic stole the early headlines with a first-half triple-double, continuing his run as the Lakers’ offensive engine. But LeBron’s dunk showcase reminded everyone that while Doncic may be the present and future, the King still rules when he wants to.
At this stage of his career, LeBron isn’t expected to carry the same load he once did. And yet, nights like this prove he’s still capable of putting his stamp on a game-whether it’s through a thunderous dunk, a key defensive stop, or simply leading by example.
He may not be the No. 1 option anymore, but he’s still one of the most impactful players in the league. And if Friday night was any indication, opposing teams would be wise not to underestimate him-because LeBron James still has plenty left in the tank, and he’s not done making statements.