Photo: Getty Images

By Joel Reyes

LeBron James has continued to defy Father Time, with the Los Angeles Lakers star still producing outstanding numbers in his 23rd season in the NBA. He will join a select few players who played in the league at the age of 41 when he suits up for the Lakers in their clash against the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday (PH time).

We look back at the five greatest games that King James have played on his birthday, December 30, ahead of his big night at Crypto.com Arena.

1. LeBron posts near triple-double on his 38th birthday

LeBron James showed he has the flair for the dramatic, nearly recording a triple-double on his 38th birthday against Atlanta. He wreaked havoc against the Hawks on Dec. 30, 2022, scoring 48 points, collecting 10 rebounds and issuing 9 assists in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 130-121 win.

James made history with that performance, becoming just the fourth NBA player to score at least 45 points at age 38 or older. He joined Michael Jordan (3 times), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Jamal Crawford on that exclusive list. 

2. James delivers incredible performance on his 25th birthday

LeBron James sent Cleveland fans into a frenzy on Dec. 30, 2009, when he led the Cavaliers to a 106-101 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on his 25th birthday. He stuffed the stat sheet against the Hawks, racking up 48 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, two steals and two blocks in 43 minutes of action.

James shot 15-of-23 from the field, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. He also punished Atlanta on the free-throw line, knocking down 14 of his 16 attempts from the charity stripe. It was a memorable performance from James, who secured his first-ever NBA win on his birthday.

3. LeBron stuffs the stat sheet on his 27th birthday

James came close to recording a triple-double on his 27th birthday, racking up 34 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds and 4 steals in the Miami Heat’s 103-101 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 30, 2011.

He made more memories with the Heat later that season, capturing his first-ever NBA championship following Miami’s victory over Oklahoma City in the 2012 Finals. 

4. James scores 38 on his 24th birthday

James put on a show on his 24th birthday, scoring 38 points and dishing out 7 assists in Cleveland’s clash with Miami on Dec. 30, 2008. He led the Cavs’ charge in the second half, scoring 24 points in the final two quarters.

Unfortunately for James, his efforts weren’t rewarded as Cleveland lost 95-104 to Miami. James remained winless on his birthday, dropping to a 0-3 record following that loss to the Heat.

5. LeBron drops 23 on his 40th birthday

James didn’t disappoint in his first NBA game as a 40-year-old, scoring 23 points in the Lakers’ game against the Cavaliers on Dec. 30, 2024. He made history in that contest, becoming the first-ever NBA player to play both as a teen and in his 40s in the league.

The result didn’t go James’ way, though, as the Cavs recorded a 122-110 win over the Lakers.