Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James could not explain how he is still starring in the NBA at the age of 40 after scoring six more points than any other player to help his team beat the New York Knicks 128-112 on Saturday.
Forward James called Madison Square Garden the “Mecca” of basketball after his 33 points ended the Knicks’ five-game winning run.
“I’ve put all the work and dedication into the game and it’s given me so much,” James told ESPN when he was asked why he had been overheard saying “this is 40” during the contest.
“I have no idea how I’m still doing this at this level. We paid attention to details. We played hard. We had to figure out turnover situations sometimes, but we made up for our mistakes.”
LEBRON PUTS ON ANOTHER SHOW AT THE GARDEN 🤩
👑 33 PTS
👑 12 AST
👑 11 REB@Lakers (28-19) have won 6 out of the last 7! pic.twitter.com/aNVCLvVU83— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2025
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Anthony Davis ‘covers for us’ – James
The four-time NBA MVP put the Lakers’ sixth win in seven games down to defense in the absence of Anthony Davis, who is widely expected to join Dallas in a trade for Luka Doncic.
James has led the scoring in each of the Lakers’ last three games, including 24 in their 134-96 victory at the Washington Wizards on Friday and 31 in their 118-104 defeat at the Philadelphia 76ers two days earlier.
“Without AD, it’s got to be a collective group,” said James. “Not one of us can do it by ourselves, but we damn sure came through it, taking all of what AD does. He covers for all of us.”
“I have no idea how I’m still doing this [at 40].” https://t.co/sKHkntt38x pic.twitter.com/7UhinVzOPt
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2025
JJ Redick: James ‘was on mission’
Lakers coach JJ Redick said James “led with his spirit, his force, his voice”. “He played a fantastic statistic game but, from the beginning, it was clear that he was on a mission,” added Redick.
“[Austin Reaves] led as well. He had a good offensive night, and I told him after that game [that] he made five or six huge defensive plays.
LeBron James becomes the first player in NBA history to record multiple triple-doubles at the age of 40 or older. https://t.co/e10HqZZ1Sh pic.twitter.com/vdWYpEzeQo
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 2, 2025
“We’re building a resiliency to our group and a high competitive spirit. I can’t overstate how important it is to have guys like Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt just competing at a high level every single night. It’s a huge difference-maker for our group.
“I know he didn’t shoot well at the start of the season but Gabe has been awesome for us all year on both ends: as an organiser, screener, shooter, blender starter.”
The Lakers are fifth in the Western Conference before visiting the LA Clippers – immediately below them – on Tuesday (10pm ET).
