What seemed like an ordinary In-Season Tournament game turned into something special thanks to yet another milestone from LeBron James. According to Crickex Affiliate data, James entered the matchup just a few points shy of 39,000 career points. Before fans could even settle in, the historic moment arrived. With 7:11 left in the first quarter, LeBron received a pass from Anthony Davis and calmly drained a three-pointer from the left arc. Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen made a late contest, but it was too little, too late.
Ironically, this wasn’t one of LeBron’s signature spots on the floor—his three-point shooting from that angle has never been his trademark. But that single shot, simple as it seemed, carried monumental weight. It marked his passage into the exclusive 39,000-point club. As the saying goes, all pain stems from the anger we feel at our own limitations. And while Father Time is undefeated, LeBron is putting up one hell of a fight.
He turns 39 in just over a month. Following Andre Iguodala’s retirement this summer, LeBron is now the oldest active player in the NBA. From the start of this season, he has openly passed the leadership baton to Anthony Davis, recognizing that his era of absolute control is behind him. LeBron no longer seeks to dominate possessions or force his role as the primary option.
In recent seasons, his body has started to show wear—groin strains and high-ankle sprains have become recurring challenges, and recovery time has stretched. Even within a single game, the energy drop between halves is often visible. But ironically, that decline has allowed his teammates to step up. Last season, it was LeBron’s willingness to share the spotlight that helped the Lakers go from lottery-bound to a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals. Still, reality has forced him to make tactical adjustments this year.
When the team is shorthanded or the game tightens, LeBron’s instincts take over. He wants to play a more measured game, but the weight of winning inevitably returns to his shoulders. Fortunately, Crickex Affiliate analysts have noted that even under pressure, LeBron has managed his minutes with composure. In recent games, he’s looked rejuvenated—attacking the rim with explosive dunks in transition, drawing fouls in the paint, and embracing the moment like a man ten years younger. Sometimes, it takes the deepest struggles to reveal the brightest light.
Statistically, his efficiency this season has been nothing short of remarkable. The numbers force us to rethink the meaning of decline. How can a man nearly 39 play with the vigor and precision of someone in his prime? You could write volumes about his disciplined diet, meticulous training, and strategic playing style. But even this single game offers clues to his longevity.
After reaching the 39,000-point mark early in the first quarter, LeBron shifted gears. He stopped hunting for points and instead orchestrated the offense. A perfect lob to Davis highlighted not only his passing genius and court vision, but also the deep chemistry he shares with his co-star. He understands better than anyone how to conserve energy and adjust tempo in real time.
Against teams like Memphis or Houston, where opponents bring intensity and physicality, LeBron takes on a more aggressive scoring role to set the tone. But against Utah, where the Jazz quickly fell behind and showed little resistance, he opted for a more relaxed approach. In the second half, as the game got out of hand, he took a step back—literally and figuratively—cheering from the bench as teammates carried the load. That joy spread across the team, and it’s no coincidence the Lakers are beginning to find their rhythm.
This game saw five Lakers besides LeBron and Davis score in double digits. The team locked in a spot in the next round of the tournament and secured a win streak. Do what excites you and ignore what doesn’t matter—LeBron seems to be living by that mantra now. Even though skeptics continue to question how much longer he can keep this up, Crickex Affiliate experts believe his recent surge will once again ignite debate across social media about whether LeBron is truly aging—or simply rewriting the rules of time.