The spotlight was on the Los Angeles Lakers during their much-anticipated matchup with the New York Knicks, but one familiar face was missing from the court. LeBron James, now 41 years old, was ruled out shortly before tip-off, and the reason behind his absence sparked plenty of discussion across the NBA.
James was initially listed as questionable with a bruised elbow, but additional reporting revealed another factor influencing the decision.
During the broadcast, ESPN host Malika Andrews explained that the Lakers star was also dealing with arthritis in his left foot.
For a league dominated by younger athletes, arthritis appearing on an injury report is unusual. Yet James’ longevity has placed him in territory rarely seen in NBA history, where age-related wear becomes part of the equation.
The revelation led to a candid reaction from former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins during a discussion about the Lakers and James’ health.
“He’s shown up throughout his entire career. Obviously, he’s a lot older. I mean, he’s basically an old man,” Cousins declared.
“He’s dealing with arthritis in his foot. That sounds like some old man s**t.”
Cousins’ comment drew laughter from former guard Lou Williams during the conversation.
“Yeah, that’s definitely some old man s-. You don’t see arthritis on the injury report,” Cousins added.
While the remarks were delivered humorously, they highlighted the unusual reality of James still playing elite basketball deep into his forties.
A lingering issue that has affected LeBron’s availability
The foot problem is not entirely new for James. Reports indicate the issue has bothered him periodically throughout the season and has already caused him to miss several games.
One notable absence came during a recent matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Missing that contest had a larger consequence than a single game in the standings.
Because of the missed appearances, James fell short of the NBA’s 65-game minimum requirement for end-of-season awards. That ended a remarkable 21-year streak in which the Lakers star had consistently remained eligible for honors such as All-NBA teams.
For a player whose career has been defined by durability and consistency, the milestone underscored how rare his longevity has been.
Elite production despite age and injuries
Even with the physical challenges that come with playing into his 40s, James continues to produce at a remarkably high level.
So far this season, he is averaging 21.4 points per game, 5.7 rebounds per game and 7.0 assists per game. Those numbers would be impressive for any player, but at 41, they place James in completely unprecedented territory.
According to sports data journalist Lev Akabas, the Lakers forward is effectively “breaking the age curve” for NBA performance.
Historically, players experience significant statistical decline well before reaching their late 30s, let alone their 40s. James, however, continues to remain one of the league’s most productive and influential players.
For the Lakers, managing James’ health may become increasingly important as the season progresses.
While arthritis might sound unusual on an NBA injury report, James’ continued performance shows he remains far from finished.
Read the full article here
