Time is supposed to be undefeated. That’s the old saying, right? But then you look at LeBron James. Most NBA players are long gone by 40. They’re usually sitting on a podcast or coaching a high school team somewhere. Not this guy. On Monday, December 30, LeBron James turns 40, and he’s still making the league look like his personal playground.
It’s actually kinda wild when you think about it.
He’s entering a territory where only a few legends have ever walked. We aren’t talking about a guy hanging on for a paycheck. We’re talking about a man who, just months ago, was named to his 21st All-NBA team. Most players don’t even have 21 years in the league, let alone 21 years of being the best.
LeBron James Turns 40 on Monday and the NBA World is Shaking
The sheer math of his career is staggering. If you’ve been following the Lakers lately, you know he isn't exactly slowing down to a crawl. In his 40th year, he’s been averaging roughly 23.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists.
Those are "prime of your life" numbers.
Honestly, the context is what makes it hit harder. When LeBron debuted in 2003, the iPhone didn't exist. Netflix was still mailing DVDs in red envelopes. He has now played in his teens, 20s, 30s, and now officially his 40s. He’s the first player ever to span four decades of life while active in the NBA.
Breaking Down the Over-40 Club
There have been other "old" players, sure. But let’s be real about what that looked like.
- Nat Hickey: Played at 45, but that was in 1948. He was the coach and just put himself in for two games. He scored zero baskets.
- Kevin Willis: He made it to 44. He was mostly a bench presence by then, grabbing a few boards here and there.
- Robert Parish: "The Chief" won a ring with the Bulls at 43. He was playing maybe 9 minutes a night.
- Vince Carter: He stayed effective until 43, mostly as a locker room leader and a three-point threat.
LeBron is different. He’s still the engine of the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s still the guy taking the last shot. He’s still the one chasing down blocks that make 22-year-olds look slow.
It’s not just luck. It’s the $1.5 million he reportedly spends on his body every year. It’s the cryotherapy, the hyperbaric chambers, and the obsessive focus on sleep. Most of us feel a "twinge" getting out of bed at 40; he’s dunking on 7-footers.
The Bronny Factor and the Final Act
The 2024-25 season brought something we never thought we’d see: a father and son on the same NBA floor. Playing with Bronny James seemed to give LeBron a second wind. Or maybe a fifth wind? It’s hard to keep track.
But it hasn't all been a fairy tale. Recently, Father Time has been trying to catch up. LeBron has dealt with some foot issues and sciatica that forced him to miss some games. There’s also that pesky 65-game rule for NBA awards. Since he’s missed a chunk of time this season, he might miss out on All-NBA for the first time in two decades.
Does he care? Probably not as much as he cares about one more ring.
He’s already the all-time leading scorer. He has passed 40,000 career points—a number that felt impossible when Kareem retired. Every basket he scores now isn’t just a point; it’s a record that might never be broken.
What to Expect Next from The King
So, what happens now? People have been predicting his "downfall" since 2015. They were wrong then, and they're mostly wrong now.
He’s currently under contract through the 2025-26 season after opting into his $52.6 million deal. He’s mentioned that he won't play "until the wheels fall off" because he respects the game too much. He wants to leave while he’s still LeBron James, not a shell of himself.
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If you’re watching the game on Monday, take a second to realize what you’re seeing. You’re watching a 40-year-old man compete at the highest level of human athletics.
Basically, we’re all witnesses to something that shouldn't be biologically possible.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you want to truly appreciate this milestone, keep an eye on these specific things over the next few weeks:
- The 40-at-40 Watch: Only Michael Jordan has scored 40 points in a game after turning 40. LeBron has come close several times this season already. Watch the box scores—he's hunting that milestone.
- Minutes Management: Notice how JJ Redick is using him. The Lakers are trying to save his legs for the postseason, which means more "point-LeBron" and less "sprint-the-floor-LeBron."
- The Assist Record: He’s currently 4th all-time. Every game he inches closer to Chris Paul and Jason Kidd. His passing might actually outlast his scoring.
The narrative of his career is shifting from "Is he the GOAT?" to "How is he still doing this?"
Enjoy it while it lasts. Forty is just a number, but in the NBA, it’s a miracle.
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To stay ahead of his statistical march, track his nightly box scores against the "40-year-old averages" of past legends like Kareem (14.6 PPG) or Jordan (22.4 PPG). You'll quickly see that what LeBron is doing isn't just "good for his age"—it's elite by any standard.