LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
LeBron James on March 18, 2026 in Houston.
LeBron James told reporters he feels "like s--- right now" after scoring 30 points in the Lakers win over the Houston Rockets on March 18
The 41-year-old NBA star said he "felt pretty good" during the game, but that his age is catching up with him
James helped lead the Lakers to a win with 30 points, two assists and five rebounds, as well as a block and a steal
LeBron James is feeling the wear and tear on his body.
The 41-year-old NBA star told reporters, "I feel like s--- right now," after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a road win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, March 18 with 30 points, five rebounds and two assists, plus a block and a steal.
"Look at me right now," said James, who is currently playing in his 23rd NBA season. "Right now, I feel like s---, but in the game I felt pretty good."
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks against Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 18, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
The father of three said he "didn't feel that great" before tip-off in Houston on Wednesday. "I was yawning and tired and telling myself, I was literally talking to myself like, 'Come on, here we go. Let's figure it out. Let's get through it,' " said James, who showed out with six dunks in the Lakers win.
When asked how he conjured the energy to give such a dominant performance despite not feeling his best, James told reporters, "I mean, if I'm in uniform, I gotta try to see what I can give, so that's where it stemmed from."
James also said of playing so well in his 23rd season: "It's pretty cool to still be able to play at this level, you know, at this juncture in my career."
Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who is just six months older than James, said after the game that watching his star player makes him feel "like a loser" in his postgame conference.
"Watching him, it actually probably makes me feel like a loser. Every time he falls on the ground, every time he gets hit hard in transition, I feel it too," said Redick, joking that he's "just so out of shape right now."
Redick went on to praise James' "remarkable" athleticism and shared that he was recently speaking with James about "the preparation that he puts into his body over and over and over," calling it "the ultimate sign of competitive stamina."
James was asked about Redick's comment after the coach's presser, and jokingly responded, "Nah, if he's a loser, we're all in deep s---."