James exercised his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers for the 2025-26 season Sunday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

James will return for a record-setting 23rd NBA campaign as the Lakers aim to balance building for the future while staying in title contention. The four-time MVP continued to perform at an extremely high level last season, during which he averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 34.9 minutes per game in 70 regular-season appearances.

James closed with 22 points (9-21 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-6 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and two steals across 40 minutes during Wednesday's 103-96 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

The home crowd might have seen James' last appearance in a Laker uniform Tuesday evening, as the rumors about his retirement dominated the post-game conversation. James faced the same scrutiny last season after the Lakers fell to the Nuggets, but he left little doubt about his return once Bronny James was added to the Lakers' roster. With his dream of playing alongside his son satisfied, James may decide to hang it up, but it's an open question for the time being.

James ended Sunday's 116-113 loss to Minnesota in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 27 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 15-18 FT), 12 rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and three steals across 46 minutes.

EDGE Analysis

The future Hall of Famer nearly produced his 29th career playoff triple-double, and his first since the 2019-20 postseason. James had to settle for his third straight double-double, and he's averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 boards, 5.5 assists, 2.3 threes, 2.3 blocks and 2.0 steals through the first four games of the series. James is now third on the NBA's all-time list in playoff double-doubles with 144, behind only Tim Duncan (164) and Magic Johnson (157).

James produced 38 points (13-21 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 7-10 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals across 41 minutes during Friday's 116-104 loss to Minnesota in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

James put the Lakers on his back, doing a lot more of the dirty work due to the fact Luka Doncic was feeling under the weather. While Doncic still managed to play 40 minutes, he was clearly bothered, meaning James had to take control of the team. Despite scoring a game-high 38 points, it was not enough as the Lakers came up short, falling behind 2-1 in the series.

James amassed 21 points (8-19 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal over 40 minutes during Tuesday's 94-85 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

The future Hall of Famer came within a handful of dimes of recording his 29th career playoff triple-double, instead settling for his 142nd double-double. James has let Luka Doncic take the lead so far this postseason for the Lakers, but he's still delivered strong numbers, averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 boards, 5.0 assists, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals and 1.0 threes through two games.

James supplied 19 points (8-18 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals across 36 minutes during Saturday's 117-95 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

EDGE Analysis

After a slow start, James managed to get things going in the right direction, albeit in a losing effort. With that said, the Timberwolves did a great job of limiting James, who along with Austin Reaves, struggled to build any real momentum. Game 2 will be in Los Angeles on Tuesday, with James hoping to reverse the narrative before the series heads to Minnesota.

James (hip) is available for Game 1 against the Timberwolves on Saturday, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

James was tagged as probable for Saturday's playoff opener due to a left hip flexor strain, but he's been given the green light to play. Since the All-Star break, James averaged 24.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.3 steals over 35.6 minutes per game while connecting on 50.8 percent of his field-goal attempts.

James is probable for Game 1 against the Timberwolves on Saturday due to a left hip flexor strain.

EDGE Analysis

James is expected to be available for the series opener against the Timberwolves, but the probable tag comes with some caution about whether the star forward will be 100 percent. James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game in 70 regular-season contests, shooting 51.3 percent from the floor and 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.

James (groin) didn't play in the regular-season finale but is expected to be ready for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.

EDGE Analysis

James dealt with some injury issues during the second half of the 2024-25 regular season but still managed to play 70 games for the Lakers. The four-time NBA champion averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.0 steals per game, shooting 51.3 percent from the floor and 37.6 percent from beyond the arc.

James (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Portland, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the Lakers locked in as the third seed in the West, James will join several other rotational players on the sidelines for Sunday's regular-season finale. Jordan Goodwin (foot), Markieff Morris and Dalton Knecht should all see a significant amount of playing due to the multiple absences on the Lakers.