LeBron James

LeBron James celebrated his 38th birthday with 47 points and a near triple-double in the Lakers 130-121 win over the Hawks on Friday night.

Things are looking up for the Lakers, if only momentarily. James has been openly critical of the Lakers’ roster in recent weeks. On Friday, two days after his eyebrow-raising postgame comments in Miami, James went a step further, turning back the clock with a season-best performance and almost single-handedly willing the Lakers to a win on his birthday. Los Angeles’ 15-point comeback made for its largest comeback win of the season as the Lakers improve to 15-21. [Lakers](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/lakers/). [Cleveland](https://theathletic.com/nba/team/cavaliers/).

On his 38th birthday, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James went for 47 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

LeBron James and Kevin Durant are two of the greatest players of all-time, and it is cool to see Durant show appreciation in this way. The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers have had two incredibly different seasons, with Brooklyn reestablishing themselves as true title contenders while the Lakers fall further from the play-in tournament. On his 38th birthday, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James went for 47 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists in a win over the Atlanta Hawks.

LeBron James scored a season-high 47 points on 18-for-27 shooting and added 10 rebounds and nine assists in the Lakers' 130-121 victory at Atlanta.

[The Lakers](https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers) overcame a 15-point first-half deficit, beginning with a huge second quarter from James, when he created more than 82% of the Lakers’ points when you add his scoring (16) with the 16 points created from his seven assists. Fans in the crowd howled when he slammed, they gasped when he sprinted up and down the court, and they exploded when he made a clutch, deep three-pointer late in the fourth quarter to give him 40. He became just the third player to score 47 or more points after turning 38 and the first to do it with 10 rebounds or nine assists.

We have been fortunate to witness greatness. Sometimes in our desire as sports fans to rank and rate everything, we don't take a step back and appreciate ...

On his 38th birthday, LeBron James delivered one of his best games of the season in a win over the Hawks.

James erupted for a near-triple-double of 47 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. James was otherworldly — and not just relative to his big day. On his 38th birthday, James looked no different than the 19-year-old who entered the league in 2003.

LeBron James scored a season-high 47 points on his 38th birthday with many of the sellout crowd at State Farm Arena cheering his every move, ...

He returned at the 4:42 mark of the second and had 17 points at the half. The Lakers were in the midst of a 17-4 run that ended with James’ three-point play and an 87-83 lead. He hit the free throw and came back on the next possession with a reverse layup on the baseline that drew the crowd to its feet again. He had 16 points in the second quarter, 13 in the third and 16 in the fourth. Much of the crowd came to its feet roaring as he drew John Collins’ sixth foul and fell down as he hit a baseline layup. The Hawks (17-19), who have lost three in row, blew a 15-point lead but regained a 101-100 lead on Aaron Holiday’s 3-pointer with 10:50 remaining.

It's hard to imagine the NBA without LeBron James, but that moment could be coming a lot sooner than we thought, thanks to the Lakers' struggles.

So throughout the course of a day, to the weeks, to the months, I think about a little bit of everything. On the one hand, he seems to be saying he wants a chance to win again and doesn’t want to finish his career on a down note. In the last paragraph, he sounds wistful talking about how much of Bronny’s high school career he’s missed and how much more of his younger son Bryce’s he’ll miss if he plays for a few more years. At the end of the day, I keep the main thing the main thing.” I will make sure my body is taken care of and I’ll continue to put in the work.” I don’t want to finish my career playing at this level from a team aspect.

Lakers forward LeBron James drives against Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu during the first half on Friday night in Atlanta. James celebrated his 38th birthday with a season-high 47 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in a 130-121 win. (AP Photo/ ...

“But I just knew if I continued to put in the work, I continued to be true to the game, then I could be one of the greatest players to ever play this game. There were a number of factors motivating him, James said, including the friendly crowd in Atlanta (the team wished him a happy birthday on the jumbotron in the first quarter). His mother, Gloria, and his wife, Savannah, were also in attendance, which was a bit of a special occasion with his birthday on the road. Little-used and often-injured forward Juan Toscano-Anderson stepped up in the closing lineup, finishing 3 for 3 from the field with a plus-13 rating. He caught up to it but missed a look at the rim, then tumbled over. He also had help, most notably in the closing moments.

L.A. Times readers are in agreement that if LeBron James doesn't want to be playing meaningless games with the Lakers then he can leave the team.

A true leader and a humble athlete of uncommon ability, Ekeler stands as a remarkable role model, a beacon of positivity and an exemplar of what determination can reap. He got inside and was eventually kicked out. But are public relations all that matter on the other side of the question? As far as I can tell, in the court of law, Trevor Bauer is innocent. It’s bad enough they couldn’t nail down a deal with Justin Turner, winner of the Roberto Clemente Award last season. Like Jerry Buss, Steve Balmer doesn’t pretend to be a basketball genius. We are also approaching the 10th anniversary of the slow and steady demise of a once great sport franchise. The plan is not working and puts us further and further from championship contention as every year passes. [Anthony Davis](https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2022-12-23/lakers-anthony-davis-out-indefinitely-stress-injury-right-foot) and [Russell Westbrook](https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2022-10-28/lakers-planning-to-play-russell-westbrook-off-the-bench) on the team. Yet it is his turnovers, no defense, and poor shot selection that is hurting the team. :: Simply put, “Rebuild without him” is not only the right answer, it is the only answer.

He's perfectly justified in that frustration. James signed a contract extension with the Lakers over the summer. What was or wasn't promised in those ...

[Jimmy Butler](/nba/players/1646703/jimmy-butler/) remains a major injury risk, and [Kyle Lowry](/nba/players/1113164/kyle-lowry/) just isn't the player he used to be anymore. [Philadelphia 76ers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/PHI/philadelphia-76ers/): [Tyrese Maxey](/nba/players/3142479/tyrese-maxey/) and [Tobias Harris](/nba/players/1780830/tobias-harris/) for James is one of the easier deals to build on the board. In 2021, [he said](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/pat-riley-open-to-welcoming-lebron-james-back-to-heat-i-would-leave-the-key-under-the-doormat/) that there's a "key under the mat" for James if he ever wants to use it. The Warriors would probably prefer to keep them and build a trade around draft picks, [Jonathan Kuminga](/nba/players/26602407/jonathan-kuminga/) and/or [James Wiseman](/nba/players/3142271/james-wiseman/). [Kevin Durant](/nba/players/1231866/kevin-durant/) and [Kyrie Irving](/nba/players/1779901/kyrie-irving/) could win the championship here and now. [Golden State Warriors](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/GS/golden-state-warriors/): Hey, speaking of quotes launching rumors, James wasn't even a little subtle in April when he said that [Stephen Curry](/nba/players/1685204/stephen-curry/) [would be the player](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQTpaxnLiSw&t=65s&ab_channel=UNINTERRUPTED) in today's league with whom he'd most want to play. [Milwaukee Bucks](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MIL/milwaukee-bucks/): Would the Bucks sign-and-trade [Khris Middleton](/nba/players/1992813/khris-middleton/) for LeBron James? The Lakers are gearing up to [duck the repeater tax](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/how-the-repeater-tax-looms-over-lakers-failure-to-trade-russell-westbrook/). [Desmond Bane's](/nba/players/2268516/desmond-bane/) shooting would be welcome, and James could function as more of a cutter while picking his spots next to [Ja Morant](/nba/players/2892772/ja-morant/). [Atlanta Hawks](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/ATL/atlanta-hawks/): If James doesn't want to play point guard anymore, [Trae Young](/nba/players/2938032/trae-young/) is his ideal teammate. [Minnesota Timberwolves](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/MIN/minnesota-timberwolves/): The market is less desirable than Sacramento, but Klutch client [Anthony Edwards](/nba/players/3141406/anthony-edwards/) would likely appeal to James quite a bit as a teammate. [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/POR/portland-trail-blazers/): We know James wanted to play with [Damian Lillard](/nba/players/1992810/damian-lillard/) because Lillard [has detailed](https://www.theringer.com/nba/2022/10/12/23399283/damian-lillard-portland-trail-blazers) LeBron's recruiting pitch on the record.

LeBron James scored a season-high 47 points on his 38th birthday with many of the sellout crowd at State Farm Arena cheering his every move, and the Los ...

He hit the free throw and came back on the next possession with a reverse layup on the baseline that drew the crowd to its feet again. Much of the crowd came to its feet roaring as he drew John Collins' sixth foul and fell down as he hit a baseline layup. The Hawks (17-19) blew a 15-point lead but regained a 101-100 lead on Aaron Holiday's 3-pointer with 10:50 remaining.

Magic Johnson, Donovan Mitchell, and other NBA stars reacted to LeBron James' incredible 47/10/9 birthday performance in Lakers win.

That’s how you celebrate another year around the sun! [December 31, 2022] LeBron James may not be the same player he was back in his heyday with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat.

The Lakers' superstar scores 47 points, nearly becoming the 1st player in league history to record a triple-double on their birthday.

The scoring tally trails only the birthday 48 James put on the Hawks in 2009, when he turned 25. A single assist was all that stood between James and the first birthday triple-double in NBA history. A

James predicted a 40-point night before the game. 'I had to make it happen."

He then drove to the other side of the rim, stopped, spun around and sunk a baby jumper just five feet from the rim to give him 45 points. James proved he still has a quick enough first step to get by the young guys, and when the Hawks sent a help defender under the rim to provide some resistance, James effortlessly evaded that. James took advantage of Atlanta's poor rim protection, doing a bulk of his damage under the rim as the Hawks had no one to slow him down. The impressive part about James' performance was the efficiency in which he pulled it off. The four-time champion dropped 47 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to lift the [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/LAL/los-angeles-lakers/) to a 130-121 road win. The other two players ahead of James are Jordan and Jamal Crawford, both of whom put up 51 points.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James just turned 38 years old on Friday. He also recorded a 47-point near triple-double on the same day.

LeBron James certainly deserves all the credit he’s getting after that incredible all-around display for the Lakers. Naturally after the game that also saw James record 10 rebounds and nine assists, fans were quick to hail him the best player in the world. Yes, you read that right, James–often criticized by his haters for being washed–showed everyone that he is far from done as one of the most dominant players in the NBA today.

LA Lakers player eyes fifth championship, and precedents from Tom Brady to Tiger Woods show there are exceptions to the rule that age catches up with ...

LeBron James celebrated his 38th birthday by scoring a season-high 47 points to help the visiting Los Angeles Lakers erase a 15-point deficit and beat the ...

Pascal Siakam added 26 points and six assists for the Raptors, who ended a five-game home losing streak by winning for the third time in their past 11 games overall. Anunoby contributed 16 points for the Raptors, and Scottie Barnes scored 11. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 20 points on 7-for-7 shooting for the Nuggets, who won for the ninth time in 11 games. DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points and Nikola Vucevic collected 19 points and nine rebounds for the Bulls, who have won five of six games overall and 12 straight against the Pistons. Bones Hyland had 16 points and Vlatko Cancar scored 15 for Denver. Willy Hernangomez scored 13 points as the Pelicans won their fifth straight game. Thompson finished with 31 points after hitting seven 3-pointers for Golden State, which won its fourth straight at home over the past six days. Dejounte Murray added 20 points and nine assists, and Onyeka Okongwu had 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Damian Lillard poured in a team-high 34 points in another of his San Francisco Bay Area homecomings. Washington, which has won four straight games and five of six, went on a 16-2 run midway through the second quarter and never looked back. It was the third straight road loss for Utah. He added 10 rebounds and nine assists to fall just short of his first triple-double of the season.

LeBron James knows how to celebrate in style, scoring a season-high 47 points as he inspired the Los Angeles Lakers to a 130-121 win over the Atlanta Hawks ...

I just knew that [if] I continued to put in the work, continued to be true to the game that I could be one of the greatest players to ever play this game, I just always believed that, so there are times when I’m on the floor when I feel like a kid again … [James](https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/01/sport/lebron-james-jerry-jones-photo-intl-spt/index.html) helped his team come back from 15 points down at the State Farm Arena and ended the game with 10 rebounds and nine assists. “At 18 years old I knew how to play the game, I knew I belonged in the NBA but I didn’t know what I could become.

The King reminded fans that age is but a number with his masterclass on Friday night.

On his 38th birthday Friday, the [Lakers](https://www.si.com/nba/team/los-angeles-lakers) superstar showed why he’s one of the greatest to ever pick up a basketball with a spectacular performance in Atlanta. Ham and James’s teammates weren’t the only ones in complete awe of the 38-year-old’s showcase on Friday. That gift was a 47-point outburst, his highest scoring total of the season.

Lakers star LeBron James is a big Ohio State fan and will attend the Peach Bowl along with assistant coach Chris Jent. A look at why the Buckeyes mean so ...

“Do whatever it takes to represent scarlet and gray. “The fans. Obviously, it’s going to be a tough one,” he said. The fact that Ohio State fans are so passionate anyways, the fact that someone like that who didn’t go to the school embraces the university. “It’s going to be fun. His oldest son, Bronny, seems destined to get a taste of the pageantry of big-time college sports should he choose to play basketball in college next season. “How could you not want to go out and just run through a wall?” James said of what it feels like to hear it. 23 and James’ name on the back. “… All the time,” James told The Times about playing college football or basketball. Later in the night, he’d make more history — “Every time I go to an Ohio State game, a football game or a basketball game or any of those games where it’s just super-jam packed, super excitement.

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James discussed his college sports dream as Ohio State prepares to battle Georgia in the College Football Playoff.

Regardless, there is no denying the fact that LeBron is one of the best players ever. It is difficult to deny the passion around college sports, particularly college football and basketball. All the time,” James told The LA Times about playing college football or basketball.

James is chasing Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record and just turned 38. LeBron got well-wishes from the Hall of Famer and fellow Lakers great.

This time from the man he is chasing on the NBA's all-time scoring list: [Kareem Abdul-Jabbar](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4145/kareem-abdul-jabbar). It's just something I expect from him. Abdul-Jabbar played for the