It is January 2026, and if you turn on a Los Angeles Lakers game, you might notice something different on the top right chest of jersey number 23. It’s a patch. Not just any patch, but a silhouette of a man throwing chalk into the air, framed by the number 23.
Most people see that and think, "Oh, it's just his jersey number." Nope.
That patch is there because we are currently witnessing something that has literally never happened in the history of professional basketball. To answer the big question: how long has LeBron played in the NBA? As of the current 2025-26 season, LeBron James is playing in his 23rd NBA season.
Twenty-three.
That isn't just a long time. It’s a statistical anomaly. It is an entire generation of humans born, raised, and graduated from college while one man has been catching lobs and chasing down blocks.
Breaking the Vince Carter Tie
For a few years, Vince Carter held the "longevity" crown with 22 seasons. People thought that was the absolute ceiling. "Vinsanity" eventually turned into a role player, a bench veteran who played a few minutes here and there to help the young guys.
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LeBron didn't get that memo.
When he stepped onto the court against the Utah Jazz in November 2025 to kick off this current campaign, he officially became the first player ever to reach season 23. But honestly, the weirdest part isn't the number itself. It’s the fact that he isn't just "hanging on." Just a few days ago, on January 13, 2026, he dropped 31 points and 10 assists on the Atlanta Hawks. At 41 years old.
He’s currently averaging over 22 points a game. Most players in their 20th season are lucky if they can jump high enough to touch the rim without their knees screaming.
The Timeline: Where Have Those 23 Years Gone?
If you're trying to wrap your head around how long has LeBron played in the NBA, you have to look at the three distinct "lives" he's lived in the league.
- The Cleveland Era Part I (2003–2010): He came in as an 18-year-old kid from Akron. The "Chosen One." He played seven seasons here, dragging a roster that—let's be real—had no business being in the Finals in 2007.
- The Miami Heat Era (2010–2014): Four seasons. Four Finals appearances. Two rings. This was peak "Villain LeBron."
- The Cleveland Return (2014–2018): Another four seasons. This culminated in the 2016 comeback against the 73-win Warriors. That block on Iggy? That was ten years ago. Let that sink in.
- The Lakers Era (2018–Present): He’s now in his eighth season in Los Angeles. He has officially played more seasons for the Lakers than he did for the Heat.
The "How is He Still Doing This?" Factor
You’ve probably heard the rumors that he spends over $1 million a year on his body. Cryotherapy, hyperbaric chambers, personal chefs, the whole nine yards. But it’s more than just money. It’s the sheer refusal to decline.
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There’s a darker side to this longevity, though. His body is finally showing some cracks. This season, he’s been dealing with left foot joint arthritis and some pretty annoying sciatica issues. He’s already missed about 17 games this year. Because of the NBA’s 65-game rule, he’s actually at risk of missing out on an All-NBA selection for the first time since his rookie year.
Think about that. He has been "All-NBA" for 21 straight seasons. That means for over two decades, he was officially one of the top 15 players on the planet. Every. Single. Year.
Putting Season 23 Into Perspective
To really get how long has LeBron played in the NBA, you have to look at his peers.
The guys he was drafted with in 2003—Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh—have been retired for years. Wade has been in the Hall of Fame since 2023. Bosh had to retire early due to health issues nearly a decade ago. LeBron is out here playing against guys like Victor Wembanyama, who wasn't even born when LeBron was drafted.
He's also played more minutes than anyone in the history of the game. If you add up his regular season and playoff minutes, he's surpassed 71,000. That’s roughly 50 entire days of playing high-intensity NBA basketball without stopping.
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Why 2026 is Different
This season feels like the final lap, even if he hasn't officially said it. He’s already checked off the "Big Goal"—playing with his son, Bronny. They made history last season as the first father-son duo to share an NBA floor.
Now, he’s just chasing ghosts.
He already has the scoring record (over 50,000 career points if you count the playoffs). He’s top 5 in assists. He’s top 10 in steals. At this point, he’s just padding a resume that is already so long it looks like a CVS receipt.
What This Means for You (The Takeaway)
Watching LeBron right now isn't just about watching a basketball game. It's about watching the outer limit of human performance. Most of us struggle to stay in shape through our 30s. This guy is competing with 22-year-old world-class athletes while he's eligible for a mid-life crisis.
If you’re a fan, don’t take these remaining games for granted. The "How long has LeBron played in the NBA" clock is ticking louder than ever. Whether he plays a 24th season or calls it quits this summer, we are in the endgame.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Watch the Schedule: The Lakers' remaining 40+ games are crucial. If LeBron misses more than a couple more games, his streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA selections officially dies.
- The Sacramento Connection: Keep an eye on games in Sacramento. That’s where it all started in 2003, and as we saw with the jersey patch debut earlier this month, the league is using that city as a backdrop for his career milestones.
- Statistical Milestones: He is currently chasing down Robert Parish’s record for the most regular-season games played (1,611). He’s only a few dozen games away. If his health holds up through March, he’ll own that record too.
The reality is simple: we’ve never seen a 23rd season before. We might never see one again. Enjoy the "King" while he's still wearing the crown, even if the throne is getting a little creaky.