Father Time is basically screaming at the door, but LeBron James just won't open it. It's January 2026. He’s 41 years old. Honestly, it shouldn’t make sense, but here we are, looking at a guy in his 23rd NBA season still putting up numbers that most 25-year-old All-Stars would kill for. People keep asking, what is LeBron averaging this season, mostly because they’re waiting for the cliff. We’ve been waiting for that cliff for a decade.
The cliff isn't here yet. It might be a slight incline now, but it's definitely not a drop-off.
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Breaking Down the Stat Sheet: What Is LeBron Averaging This Season?
Right now, LeBron James is putting up 22.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game.
If you just look at the raw scoring, yeah, it's a bit lower than the 25.7 he gave you a couple of years ago. But context is everything. He’s playing about 33 minutes a night. He’s not sprinting for 48 minutes anymore because he doesn't have to—and frankly, his body probably wouldn't appreciate it if he tried.
His shooting splits are still kind of ridiculous for a guy who’s been in the league since the iPod Mini was a thing. He’s hitting 51.4% from the field. His three-point shot has settled in at 32.1% this year, which is a bit of a dip from his recent hot streaks, but he’s making up for it with high-efficiency finishing at the rim.
The Luka Factor and the New-Look Lakers
You can't talk about LeBron's stats this year without mentioning the elephant in the room: Luka Dončić is his teammate.
The blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Luka changed the entire math of the Lakers' offense. LeBron isn't the primary "everything" anymore. With Luka handling a massive chunk of the playmaking duties, LeBron has transitioned into a hybrid role. You'll see him acting as a secondary creator, a floor spacer, and sometimes even a small-ball five when the Lakers want to get weird with their lineups.
- Scoring: 22.7 PPG (27th in the league)
- Playmaking: 6.9 APG (Top 20 in the league)
- Efficiency: 60.3% True Shooting Percentage
- Durability: 22 games played out of the first half of the season
He’s had some monster nights lately. Just a few days ago, he hung 31 points and 10 assists on the Hawks. He looked 28 again. Then, two nights later against Sacramento, he looked every bit of 41, finishing with 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting. That’s the reality of Year 23. The ceiling is still the roof, but the floor is a little more visible than it used to be.
Why the Rebounding Numbers are Dipping
You might notice the 5.8 rebounds and think he's getting lazy. He's not. The Lakers are currently 26th in the league in rebounds per game as a team. Part of that is the roster construction. With guys like Deandre Ayton now in the mix, LeBron isn't required to bang down low for every board.
Also, let's be real. Rebounding is exhausting. It takes a toll on the knees and the back. By letting the younger guys fly for the glass, LeBron is saving those "explosive" movements for the fourth quarter. It’s a calculated trade-off.
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The advanced metrics actually still love him. His LEBRON rating (the actual stat named after him, funny enough) sits at a +2.1, which ranks him 24th in the entire league for overall impact. Even when he’s not scoring, his gravity on the court opens up lanes for Austin Reaves and Luka.
Managing the Body: The Injury Bug
The season didn't start perfectly. He missed the very beginning of the year due to nerve irritation in his glute. People panicked. The "Washed King" tweets were flying. But since his return on November 18th against Utah—where he casually dropped 11 points and 12 assists in a "slow" debut—he’s been remarkably consistent.
He’s already missed more games this year than he did all of last season. That’s the trade-off for longevity. The Lakers are being smart. If LeBron feels a tweak, he sits. They need him for April and May, not for a random Tuesday in Charlotte.
What Most People Get Wrong About 2026 LeBron
The biggest misconception is that he’s "holding the team back."
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Look at the plus/minus. He’s currently a -0.14 overall, which sounds mediocre until you realize he’s often playing the "stabilizer" minutes with the second unit. When he’s on the floor with Luka, the Lakers' offensive rating skyrockets. He has adapted his game to be a elite-level connector rather than just a bulldozer.
His turnovers are also down to 2.6 per game, his lowest mark in years. He’s playing "old man ball" in the best way possible. He knows exactly where to be, exactly when to cut, and he doesn't waste energy on possessions that don't matter.
The Reality of the "Statistical Decline"
Is he declining? Yes. If he weren't, he wouldn't be human. But the decline is so gradual it's almost invisible.
Compare his current 22.7 PPG to his career average of 26.9. It’s a drop, sure. But he's still a top-30 player in the world at an age when most of his peers are coaching high school ball or doing podcasts.
His free throw shooting has been a bit of a rollercoaster, currently sitting at 73.6%. It’s never been his strongest suit, but in late-game situations, he's still the guy you want with the ball. He’s shooting 60% on two-pointers, which tells you that even without the 40-inch vertical of his Miami days, he still knows how to use that 250-pound frame to get what he wants in the paint.
Actionable Takeaways for Following the Rest of the Season
If you're tracking LeBron for fantasy or just as a fan, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Back-to-Backs: The Lakers have been cautious. Don't expect him to play both nights of a back-to-back often.
- The Assist Ceiling: With Luka on the floor, LeBron’s assists might fluctuate. On nights where Luka sits, expect LeBron to hunt for 10+ dimes.
- Efficiency over Volume: He isn't going to take 25 shots a game anymore. He’s looking for the "right" shot, which is why his field goal percentage remains high even as his scoring average dips.
LeBron James is currently redefining what the end of a legendary career looks like. He isn't just a passenger on a playoff team; he's a vital engine. Whether he can sustain these 22/6/7 numbers through the grind of the spring remains the biggest question in Los Angeles.
Monitor the Lakers' injury reports specifically for "load management" or "site-specific soreness." Given his age, any minor inflammation is handled with extreme caution by the training staff. Pay close attention to his minutes; if he stays under the 34-minute mark, his efficiency usually stays elite. If he's forced to play 38+ due to injuries elsewhere on the roster, expect his shooting percentages to dip in the following game.