LeBron at 40 is Still Unstoppable! Lakers Star Drops 40 Points in Win Over Blazers

LeBron at 40 is Still Unstoppable! Lakers Star Drops 40 Points in Win Over Blazers

LeBron James defied age once again, torching the Trail Blazers for 40 points in a gutsy Lakers win. At 40 years old, James continues to set the bar for longevity, leaving even his coach, JJ Redick, in awe.

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LeBron James Defies Time Again, Drops 40 to Power Lakers Past Blazers

PORTLAND – It was nearly 3 a.m. when the Los Angeles Lakers finally checked into their hotel in Portland after a late-night flight from L.A. Facing a road matchup against the Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back, and without Luka Dončić (resting his left calf), the challenge seemed daunting for head coach JJ Redick’s squad.

But if Redick has learned anything in his tenure coaching LeBron James, it’s that the 40-year-old legend is anything but ordinary.

James turned in yet another vintage performance, dropping 40 points to lead the Lakers to a 110-102 victory, proving once again that he’s rewriting the rules of longevity in the NBA.

Redick in Awe: "He Defies Anything That's Normal"

Even Redick, a former player himself, was left marveling at James’ relentless commitment to the game.

"He really just defies anything that's normal," Redick said. "Not just the physical feats and the plays—it's the mentality. He is—I believe I saw the other day he's a billionaire—and he's playing on the second night of a back-to-back at 40 after 22 years with every record and every accolade."

Redick continued, "And the kids will say that I'm glazing him. He's one of the greatest competitors. ... He's amazing to coach. He brings it every single day; he sets the standard for how you're supposed to approach this craft."

James, when asked about his motivation to continue pushing his body through the rigorous NBA schedule after accomplishing nearly everything imaginable in the sport, pointed to passing on that standard to his son, Lakers rookie Bronny James.

"I still love the game, and I still got a lot to give to the game, to give to my teammates, to give to this league for while I'm here," James said. "I don't have much time left. So, while I'm here today in this time, I'm going to try to give what I got when I'm out on the floor."

He added, "So, why? It's the love of the game, and I have an opportunity now to show my son the ranks of how to be a professional in this league. And to be along [with] him every single day, that's a treat."

Breaking Records at 40: A League of His Own

With Thursday’s performance, James became the only player in NBA history to post multiple 40-point games at age 40 or older. The Lakers are undefeated in both of those contests.

He also played in his 1,542nd regular-season game, surpassing Vince Carter for third on the all-time list.

However, even a legend isn’t immune to mistakes. James tied a career high with 11 turnovers—the third time in his career he’s reached double digits in that category. Surprisingly, his teams are 3-0 in those games.

Despite their own struggles—including a rough 9-for-32 (28.1%) shooting night from beyond the arc and 24 total turnovers—the Lakers found a way to win.

"The Only Cheat Code in the NBA is Playing Hard"

Redick praised his squad’s grit, highlighting that effort was the key to overcoming their sloppy play and Dončić’s absence.

"There's actually only one cheat code in the NBA, and that's playing hard," Redick said. "If you play hard every night, you have a chance to win. If you don't play hard every night, you're probably going to lose."

James echoed that sentiment.

"That's the best way to play in this league," he said. "The best way to compete in this league is to play hard. You can get through a lot of games if you're able to just play hard. You're able to cover up for a lot of mistakes. We had 24 turnovers for 31 points. I had half of those. ... It definitely makes up for it when you're able to cover for one another and you're able to play hard. It's going to help us win a lot of ballgames."

Reaves: "He Doesn't Have Anything Else to Prove"

Austin Reaves, who chipped in with 32 points and seven assists while making key defensive plays down the stretch, admitted James’ presence alone boosts the Lakers' confidence.

"He really doesn't have anything else to prove," Reaves said. "And if people say he does, then they're [Michael] Jordan fans."

At 40 years old, James continues to silence doubters, break records, and dominate. The question isn’t how long he can keep this up—it’s whether anyone will ever do it like him again.