Wait. Stop scrolling. If you're here because you saw a headline saying "LeBron James passed away," take a deep breath.
LeBron James is alive and well.
As of January 2026, the King is still very much in the building. In fact, just yesterday, January 15, 2026, he was on the court at Crypto.com Arena, leading the Los Angeles Lakers against the Charlotte Hornets. He’s 41 years old now—which is basically prehistoric in NBA years—and he’s still putting up numbers that make rookies look like they’re playing in slow motion.
So why does the internet keep trying to kill him off?
It’s the dark side of being a global icon. When you’re as big as LeBron, you become a magnet for "death hoaxes." These are fake news stories designed to trick you into clicking so someone can make a few cents off an ad or, worse, steal your data. We’ve seen it happen to everyone from Tom Cruise to Celine Dion. But with LeBron, the rumors usually flare up whenever he misses a game or when a weirdly specific social media post goes viral.
👉 See also: Who Won Last Night UFC: The Real Story Behind the Fight Results
The Most Famous LeBron "Death" Stories (That Weren't Real)
Honestly, some of these hoaxes get pretty creative. Back in the day—way back in 2014—there was a bizarre "news" segment on the TV show Louie. Comedian Louis C.K. ran a fake news broadcast claiming LeBron had been swept away by a hurricane in Miami. It was satire, obviously. But people on the internet aren't always great at picking up on jokes. The clip got ripped, shared without context, and suddenly half of Twitter thought the Heat's Big Three was down to a Big Two.
Fast forward to the era of AI. This is where it gets sketchy.
Lately, we’ve seen a surge in deepfake videos. These are AI-generated clips that look and sound exactly like real news anchors. In late 2025, LeBron actually had to take legal action against an AI company for using his likeness in "disturbing" ways. When these bots generate a headline like "NBA Legend LeBron James Dies in Tragic Accident," it looks terrifyingly real.
Why the Rumors Usually Start
It’s almost always about the "DNP - Old" status. Okay, maybe not officially, but LeBron's health is the most watched thing in sports. This season (2025-2026), he’s been dealing with some real-world issues:
✨ Don't miss: DST Rankings Week 6: Why Your Fantasy Defense Strategy Is Probably Backwards
- Sciatica: This is basically nerve pain in the lower back and leg. It kept him out of the season opener back in October.
- Left Foot Joint Arthritis: Just a fancy way of saying his feet have 23 years of NBA mileage on them.
- The 65-Game Rule: The NBA has a strict rule now where you have to play 65 games to win awards. Since LeBron has already missed about 17 games this season due to rest and minor tweaks, every time he sits out, people start speculating wildly.
When he misses a game against the Spurs or the Bucks, the "Breaking News" trolls come out of the woodwork. They take a "LeBron is out tonight" report and twist it into something much more permanent for clicks.
The Reality of LeBron in 2026
If you want the actual facts on where LeBron is right now, look at the box scores. He’s currently playing his 23rd season. That is a record, by the way. No one else has ever done that.
He’s adjusted his game. He isn't flying through the air for every dunk anymore. With Luka Doncic now on the Lakers roster handling most of the heavy lifting, LeBron has moved into more of a "point-forward" role. He’s averaging about 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. For a guy who turned 41 in December, that’s basically impossible.
He's also leaning into the "legacy" stuff. This month, he started wearing a special "23rd Season" patch on his jersey. After every game, they rip the patch off, authenticate it, and stick it into high-end trading cards. It's a massive business move, which is very "LeBron."
How to Spot a Celebrity Death Hoax
Don't get fooled again. Seriously. The next time you see a "How did LeBron James die" headline on Facebook or TikTok, check these three things first:
📖 Related: Pacquiao vs Barrios Live: Why This Fight Actually Happened (and What's Next)
- The Source: Is it ESPN, The New York Times, or The Athletic? If it’s a website you’ve never heard of like "NewsToday24-Global-Report.co," it’s fake.
- Social Media Silence: If LeBron actually passed away, every single person on your timeline would be talking about it. The NBA would suspend games. It would be the only thing on the news for a week.
- The Official Page: Just go to LeBron’s Instagram or the Lakers’ official Twitter (X) account. They post updates almost hourly.
What’s Next for the King?
LeBron is currently focused on one thing: a deep playoff run. The Lakers are sitting at 24-10 right now, and they look like actual contenders. There’s a lot of talk about whether he’ll retire after this season or try to play until he’s 45. Most experts think he’s waiting to see how his body holds up through the 2026 post-season.
Actionable Insight for Fans:
If you're a sports fan or a collector, keep an eye on those Topps "Season 23" patches. Since LeBron is likely in the final chapter of his career, those game-worn pieces are going to be worth a fortune. Also, if you’re playing Fantasy Basketball, ignore the "decline" narrative. His efficiency is actually up because he’s playing smarter, not harder.
Next time you see a viral "death" report, just remember: LeBron is a billionaire with the best medical team on the planet. He’s not going anywhere quietly. He’s probably just at home doing a recovery session in a cryotherapy chamber, getting ready to drop 25 points on your favorite team tomorrow night.
To stay updated on his actual health status, always check the official NBA Injury Report, which is updated daily at 1:30 PM, 5:30 PM, and 8:30 PM ET.