LeBron James makes history at 41 with 31 points against the Grizzlies
Jan 2, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) gets past Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) and center Jock Landale (31) for a basket during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
LeBron James continues to defy time and statistics. At 41, the Los Angeles Lakers forward delivered a historic performance against the Memphis Grizzlies, recording 31 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in his team’s 128-121 victory. A performance that further cements his legendary status.
A historic record surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The King achieved the best mark in history for a 41-year-old player, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous record of 25 points. With remarkable efficiency at 12 of 18 shooting, LeBron James once again proved he can still compete with the best players in the league.
« He was phenomenal, » declared his coach JJ Redick after the game. « At several moments, they went on runs, and every time we needed a basket, he delivered. Whether attacking the rim, getting into the paint, or positioning himself under the basket, he was exceptional tonight. »
This performance comes at a crucial time for the Lakers, who were coming off four losses in five games with an average margin of 21 points. The California team had a record of 20 wins and 11 losses before this crucial matchup.
LEBRON CETTE NUIT 🔥👑
31 PTS
9 REB
6 AST
12-18 FGLe plus haut total de points par un joueur âgé de 41 ans. pic.twitter.com/NxSuKCGlsx
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) January 3, 2026
Renewed chemistry with Luka Doncic
Taking advantage of Austin Reaves’ absence, LeBron James was able to return to his natural role as point guard alongside Luka Doncic, who also had an excellent night with 34 points and 8 assists. This is the first time since March that both superstars finished a game with 30 or more points.
« We just played with rhythm. We tried to find ways to be productive, » analyzed LeBron James about their combined efficiency. « Luka did a tremendous job getting to the free-throw line. He hit some mid-range shots, a big step-back three-pointer. On my end, I tried to mix it up, be consistent and very efficient in my game. »
The highlight of this connection materialized with a spectacular long pass from Doncic to James. « He’s one of the best quarterbacks, and I’m a pretty good receiver in that area, » concluded the King. « My job is to prevent the defense from intercepting or disrupting the play. He placed the ball perfectly, at the right time, in the right spot, which made my job incredibly easy. »
Despite the inevitable decline related to age, LeBron James continues to push the boundaries in his 23rd NBA season, proving he remains a player capable of remarkable performances when his team needs it most.
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