The Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the NBA playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, who secured a 115-110 victory in Game 4. 
Following the elimination, LeBron James addressed questions about his future in basketball. While he didn’t confirm any plans to retire, he revealed what might ultimately keep him from the game.
“My love for basketball has always been there, and I don’t think that’ll ever go away… But for me, the process has always been more important than the result. If I stop loving the process, then maybe I’ll stop loving the game,” James said in an interview with ESPN.
The Lakers fought through the postseason, eliminating the Houston Rockets in the first round before falling to the Thunder. James’ NBA journey is clearly nearing its end, but it’s still unclear if this was his final game. In Game 4, the 41-year-old tallied 24 points and 12 rebounds. After Luka Dončić’s injury, James stepped up to lead the team into the playoffs, even sharing the court with his son Bronny, who also plays for the Lakers.
Despite his age, James continues to show the same intensity and drive. He explained his mindset to The Athletic: “Being able to compete and find ways to win championships—that in itself is a motivation.”
Only time will tell what LeBron decides, and whether this marks his final NBA season.