The Ageless Wonder: Just How Good Is 40-Year-Old LeBron James?

7622 days. That number is mind-blowing.

On March 28, 2004, a 19-year-old LeBron James, still in his rookie season, dropped 41 points, 6 rebounds, and 13 assists against the New Jersey Nets. At just 19 years and 88 days old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40+ points in a game.

Fast forward to February 7, 2025—22 seasons later—LeBron did it again, torching the Golden State Warriors for 42 points, 17 rebounds, and 8 assists at 40 years and 38 days old, making him the oldest player ever to record a 40-point game.

To put that into perspective: when LeBron first scored 40+, his eldest son, Bronny James, hadn’t even been born yet.

A Record-Breaking Night on the Perfect Stage

While everyone expected LeBron to eventually drop a 40-point game this season (especially with Michael Jordan previously holding the record at 40 years and 4 days), the way it happened made it truly surreal. Everything about this game—the timing, the opponent, the performance—was straight out of a Hollywood script.

• It was against the Warriors. LeBron vs. Curry, one of the most iconic rivalries of this generation, drawing max viewership.
• The Lakers had just made major roster moves. Anthony Davis was gone, Luka Dončić was still sidelined with an injury, and this was LeBron’s first game as the lone superstar.
• He dominated every aspect of the game. The Lakers led by 20 at halftime, with LeBron dropping 18 in the second quarter, including three straight threes. He pulled up from the logo in the third quarter, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
• When it mattered most, he closed the deal. The Warriors cut the lead to five with four minutes left, but LeBron responded with two clutch free throws and a dagger three to seal the game—while breaking the record in the process.

LeBron wasn’t just great—he was unstoppable.

The Wildest Part? This Isn't an Outlier

This wasn’t a random hot night. LeBron has been on fire for weeks.

In the game before this, he led the Lakers to a blowout win over the Clippers with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, and 3 steals—shooting 8-of-13 from the field. The game before that? A 33-point triple-double (11 rebounds, 12 assists) at Madison Square Garden, making him the oldest player in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double.

Over his last five games, LeBron has averaged:
31.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 9.8 assists on 55.6% FG / 44.8% 3PT / 80.5% FT (66.6% true shooting).

If you covered his name, that stat line would scream Nikola Jokić. That’s MVP-level production.

Zoom out to his last 18 games—since turning 40—and the numbers remain ridiculous:
26.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 9.1 assists (54.5% FG / 44.4% 3PT / 76.5% FT).

That ranks 11th in the league in scoring, 3rd in assists, and his efficiency is unreal. The Lakers have gone 12-6 in those 18 games.

Outpacing the Ghosts of Basketball’s Past

For context, no player in NBA history has ever been this dominant at 40.

• LeBron already has five 30+ point games at age 40. That’s the most in NBA history—more than Michael Jordan (4), Dirk Nowitzki (1), and everyone else combined.
• In his first 19 games this season, LeBron was averaging just 22.3 PPG, his lowest since his rookie year. Many thought this was the beginning of his inevitable decline.
• But since December, he has been getting better—his season average is now 24.5 PPG, and if he pushes it a little further, he could extend his streak of 21 straight seasons averaging 25+ PPG (already an NBA record).

A 40-Year-Old Doing the Impossible

This run defies all logic.

Even Jordan, the gold standard for longevity, wasn’t doing this at 40.

Most players are either retired, washed, or barely hanging onto a roster spot by this age. LeBron? He’s still leading a playoff team while putting up superstar numbers.

And the scary part? The Lakers just got better.

The Lakers Are Built for a Deep Playoff Run

At the trade deadline, the Lakers made bold moves, shifting their roster into a potential championship contender. Their new 14-man lineup is stacked with a mix of elite talent, depth, and versatility:

• Projected Starters: LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Dorian Finney-Smith/Rui Hachimura, Mark Williams
• Key Reserves: Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jaxson Hayes, Shake Milton
• Bench Depth: Marcus Morris, Bronny James, Maxi Kleber, Christian Wood

With Luka still recovering from injury, LeBron has had to carry the team. But once the two share the court, it raises a massive question:

How will LeBron adjust?

For the first time in his career, he’ll be playing alongside a superstar who is just as ball-dominant as he is. Unlike past teammates like Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, or Dwyane Wade—who could all thrive off-ball—Dončić needs the rock.

The chemistry between them will determine whether the Lakers go all the way or flame out early.

The Final Word: Appreciate the Greatness While It Lasts

No matter where you stand on the GOAT debate, what LeBron is doing at 40 is unprecedented.

His level of dominance isn’t just historic—it’s almost science-fiction.

And while LeBron has given no clear timeline for retirement, there’s a real possibility that playing with Luka could accelerate that decision. If the Lakers hand over the keys to Dončić, will LeBron be content with a secondary role?

One thing is certain: this version of LeBron won’t last forever.

So while he’s still here—while he’s still playing at an MVP level at 40 years old—just sit back and enjoy the show.

Because we may never see something like this again.