Despite being considered one of the most durable players in the NBA, LeBron James seems to be feeling the effects of aging. In an 80-109 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron James scored only 10 points with a performance of 4/16, as well as having 6 turnovers in 31 minutes.

This performance continues LeBron James’ poor form over the past week. His decline has caused the Los Angeles Lakers to lose 5/7 of their most recent matches.

LeBron James is in decline

In 21 games in the 2024/25 NBA season , LeBron James averaged 22 points, 9.1 assists, and 8 rebounds, while shooting 48.2% and 34.5% from the 3-point line. At first glance, these are normal numbers, even somewhat impressive for a 39-year-old player. But for LeBron James, these are indicators of his decline in his 22nd season in the NBA.

Accordingly, LeBron James is averaging the lowest points since his rookie season, the lowest scoring efficiency since the 2006/07 season, and his streak of scoring over 10 points almost ended in the match against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

If we only consider the period from November 23, 2024 to December 3, 2024, LeBron James only averaged 16.8 points with an efficiency of only 39.8%. At the 3-point line, LeBron James missed 19 of his most recent shots.

“It’s a rhythm thing. I feel like I haven’t had that in the last three or four games,” LeBron James said after a lackluster performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Before the start of the 2024/25 season, LeBron James set a goal of playing 82 full regular season games for the Los Angeles Lakers. “That’s my goal, but nothing can be predicted,” LeBron James said.

At 39, achieving this goal is almost impossible, especially when the NBA often has back-to-back games (2 games in 2 consecutive days). Even if he always knows how to take care of his body, LeBron James is 39 years old and he is certainly under a lot of pressure from time.

As for coach JJ Redick, he also did not comment on LeBron James’ issue. “I don’t know if resting LeBron James is in his best interest or ours. But if he feels healthy, he can play,” JJ Redick said.

In the table below, LeBron James played four back-to-back games in the 2024/25 season, demonstrating his ineffectiveness without regular rest.

Statistical
Average performance

Point
19.8

Rebounds
9.8

Construction
7.5

Lost the ball
5.5

Steals
0.5

Blocks
0.5

Efficiency (%)
42.76

3 Point Throw (%)
27.3

Since joining the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James has played in more than 70% of the team’s games. In the 2019/20 season, LeBron James appeared in 67/71 games, while the number is 71/82 games in the 2023/24 season.

In just a few weeks, LeBron James will officially turn 40. It can be said that the superstar born in 1984 needs reasonable rest periods for the rest of the 2024/25 season, because no one can resist the harshness of old age.

How old is LeBron James?

Born on December 30, 1984, LeBron James will turn 40 in the near future. He will also become the 30th player to play in the NBA after the age of 40.

How many seasons has LeBron James played in the NBA?

Selected with Pick 1 of the 2003 NBA Draft, LeBron James is playing in his 22nd career season.

In the past, only Vince Carter (1998 – 2020) reached the 22-season mark like LeBron James. However, Vince Carter often became friends with the bench in his final years in the NBA.