Just hours after igniting the sports media landscape with his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, LeBron James did what he does best—deliver under the brightest lights. This time, it wasn’t with his words but with his actions, punctuating a drama-filled 48 minutes with a poetic final act: a buzzer-beating tip-in to lift the Lakers past the Indiana Pacers, 120-119, snapping a three-game losing skid.

Even in Year 21, LeBron continues to script moments that feel ripped from the pages of basketball mythology. At 40, he remains the executor of his team’s fate. His stat line—13 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists—won’t overwhelm the casual observer, but as typically is the case with Bron, the numbers fail to capture the full weight of his presence.

This was basketball at its most poetic: the oldest man on the floor making the freshest play.

With the Lakers clawing for positioning in a tightly contested Western Conference, every win carries extra weight. The Lakers, now finding their rhythm, seem poised for a final push toward the postseason.

Perhaps what’s most striking isn’t just how well LeBron is playing this season—it’s how much joy he seems to be playing with. There’s a looseness to his game, a pep in his step that hasn’t always been visible in recent years, particularly as he navigated team injuries, roster instability, and the weight of expectations. But this season? He’s everywhere, embracing the moment on and off the court.

Speaking of which: his Mind the Game podcast is making a return, this time with Hall of Famer Steve Nash joining as his host since the old host is now coaching the Lakers. Amazon struck a multiyear deal for the pod.

It seems that LeBron is setting up his post-playing career with the same precision he orchestrates a fast break. But with the way he’s moving, the way he’s still impacting games, the way he’s still dictating narratives, one question remains: will he ever actually retire?

Because if this season has shown us anything, it’s that LeBron James isn’t just surviving; he’s thriving. And the basketball world, as always, is following his lead.