{"id":165614,"date":"2025-05-01T15:18:20","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T15:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/01\/will-lebron-james-retire-following-lakers-playoff-elimination\/"},"modified":"2025-05-01T15:18:20","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T15:18:20","slug":"will-lebron-james-retire-following-lakers-playoff-elimination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/01\/will-lebron-james-retire-following-lakers-playoff-elimination\/","title":{"rendered":"Will LeBron James Retire Following Lakers&#8217; Playoff Elimination?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>LeBron James\u2019 season started off on a historic note, when he and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2024\/07\/lebron-james-son-no-show-paris-olympics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Bronny James<\/a> became the first father-son duo to suit up for an NBA game.<\/p>\n<p>But the King\u2019s 2024-25 campaign ended in disappointment Wednesday night when the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs following a 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.<\/p>\n<p>And to make matters worse, it all went down right in front of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tmz.com\/2025\/05\/01\/kylie-jenner-timothee-chalamet-kiss-lakers-game\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet<\/a>! (Okay, the Lakers probably weren\u2019t too worried about that part.)<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><\/noscript><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers gathers himself after taking a hard hit while playing the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter during game five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 29, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.\" class=\"wp-image-524616 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2150788104-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers gathers himself after taking a hard hit while playing the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter during game five of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on April 29, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.<span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Matthew Stockman\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Last night\u2019s loss has left many fans wondering if they had just watched the league\u2019s greatest player take the court for the last time.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lebron-james-addresses-retirement-question-in-postgame-press-conference\">LeBron James addresses retirement question in postgame press conference<\/h2>\n<p>The question of whether <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2024\/07\/will-lebron-james-retire-from-the-nba-following-olympics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">LeBron will retire<\/a> has been circulating for years.<\/p>\n<p>The basketball legend turned 40 this season, and he\u2019s accomplished just about everything that can be achieved on the court.<\/p>\n<p>So it didn\u2019t come as a surprise when James was asked about the possibility of retirement following Wednesday\u2019s loss.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers on defense during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.\" class=\"wp-image-524615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers on defense during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.\" class=\"wp-image-524615 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-2180392115-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">LeBron James #23 and Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers on defense during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on October 22, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.<span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Harry How\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he told reporters, according to the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportingnews.com\/us\/nba\/los-angeles-lakers\/news\/lebron-james-retirement-announcement-lakers-season-ending-loss\/7f985aa6a559d451d67d4892\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sporting News<\/a><\/em>. \u201cI don\u2019t have an answer to that. Something I\u2019ll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group and kind of just talk through it and see what happens.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, the other contender for the GOAT title, Michael Jordan, stepped away from the court for good at 40 \u2014 LeBron\u2019s age.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, James entered the league straight out of high school, so he\u2019s played a bit longer than MJ.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.\" class=\"wp-image-524614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\"\/><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.\" class=\"wp-image-524614 lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 20px), 720px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.thehollywoodgossip.com\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1492475852-scaled.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game four of the Western Conference Finals at Crypto.com Arena on May 22, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.<span class=\"image-caption-credit\"> (Photo by Harry How\/Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-king-james-reigns-supreme\">King James reigns supreme<\/h2>\n<p>Last night\u2019s game concluded James\u2019 22nd season in the NBA.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s spent 11 seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (in two stints with the team), seven with the Lakers, and four with the Miami Heat.<\/p>\n<p>During that time, he\u2019s won four championships and four league MVP awards. We may never settle the debate of whether LeBron is the greatest to ever play the game, but he\u2019s certainly a strong contender.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re sure James would love to cap off his career by earning one more ring, and the possibility of going out on top might convince him to return for another season.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019ll have to make a decision with regard to the Lakers by June 29. If he doesn\u2019t re-commit to the team by then, he\u2019ll become a free agent.<\/p>\n<p>However the situation unfolds, basketball fans around the world are no doubt grateful they had the opportunity to witness the reign of King James.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehollywoodgossip.com\/2025\/05\/will-lebron-james-retire-following-lakers-playoff-elimination\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Reading Time: 3 minutes LeBron James\u2019 season started off on a historic note, when he and Bronny James became the first father-son duo to suit up for an NBA game. But the King\u2019s 2024-25 campaign ended in disappointment Wednesday night when the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs following a 103-96 loss to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":165615,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-165614","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-hollywood"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165614","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=165614"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165614\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/165615"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=165614"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=165614"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=165614"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}