LeBron James and the LA Lakers were dumped out of the NBA playoffs by the on Wednesday night – and fans are adamant that it’s time for the basketball legend to bow out from the sport.
The Minnesota Timberwolves sent the Lakers packing after claiming a 103-96 win in Game 5 of their first-round battle, which handed them a conclusive 4-1 lead in the series and a place in the conference semifinals.
Despite putting up 22 points on the night, it proved a miserable evening for LeBron as he registered just three points in the all-important fourth quarter, with the likes of Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle looking a level above the all-time great on the court.
And fans believe it’s time to call it a career.
‘LeBron James this is embarassing you gotta retire,’ one wrote on X.
Another put: ‘LeBron is an old man. he needs to retire. this is the first time I’ve ever watched him in a playoff game and thought he has just lost a step vs everyone else.
LeBron James is facing calls to retire after the Lakers were dumped out of the NBA playoffs
The basketball legend looked a shadow of his former self as LA’s season came to an end
‘Lebron needs to retire bro. [Michael] Jordan knew when to walk away,’ said a third.
While one simply pleaded: ‘Lebron pls retire already’.
LeBron, who turned 40 in December, has hinted that retirement could soon be on the cards on several occasions this season.
When asked if he thinks he’ll ever play at Madison Square Garden again after the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks in February, he hinted that it’s not a guarantee he’ll be back next season by telling ESPN: ‘Possibly. We’ll see.’
And last month the four-time NBA champion was grilled about his future again during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
‘For me, it’s my mind — I am all about the process,’ LeBron admitted. ‘If it gets to the point where I don’t feel like showing up to the arena five hours in advance or I don’t feel like training or I don’t feel like studying the scout sheet of guys — if it gets to that point, I know like, “You know what, Bron, it’s a wrap.”‘
LeBron is considered by many as the greatest player of all time, with fans tirelessly comparing him to fellow icon Michael Jordan over the past two decades.
LeBron, who turned 40 in December, has hinted at retirement on several occasions this season
The Ohio-born legend has swept up a host of illustrious accolades throughout his career; including when he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in February 2023.
He has also claimed four championships with the Miami Heat (twice), Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers, as well as four MVP awards.
Last year LeBron was joined in Los Angeles by son Bronny, 20, who has mostly played for the Lakers’ G-League affiliate since being selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft.
Despite his oldest boy arriving, it remains to be seen whether he chooses to play on for at least another season, although he still has a year to run on his $104million contract.
