For the eleventh time in his legendary 22-season career, LeBron James will report to the office on his birthday as the Lakers are set to take on the Detroit Pistons in Los Angeles. Though no one has scored more points on their birthday than LeBron, his results have been a mixed bag. LeBron’s teams have split their ten games despite the King averaging 32.9 points (on 55 percent shooting) 7.1 rebounds and 6.9 assists; LeBron missed birthday games in 2014 and 2018 with injuries.
The celebration is the latest reminder of LeBron’s greatness and his longevity. During his rookie season, LeBron turned 19 with a home loss against Reggie Miller and the Pacers; three of his teammates (including his son Bronny) weren’t alive for that game. With LeBron James turning 41, this is a History of LeBron James’ Birthday Games.
December 30, 2003 (Age 19)
Statline: 22 points (9-20) 10 rebounds 4 assists
Score: Pacers 92 Cavaliers 89
Though LeBron played well, a home loss to the Pacers dropped the Cavs to 10-22. How much has basketball changed since LeBron’s rookie season? The Cavs attempted just 10 three-pointers in the entire game.
December 30, 2006 (Age 22)
Statline: 33 points (15-26) 9 rebounds 3 assists
Score: Bulls 103 Cavaliers 96
A rare night when LeBron wasn’t the best player on the court. That honor went to Luol Deng who dropped 32 points on 15-19 shooting as the Cavs lost the second game of a back-to-back (and their third game in four nights).
December 30, 2008 (Age 24)
Statline: 38 points (12-24) 2 rebounds 7 assists
Score: Heat 104 Cavaliers 95
The Miami flu strikes again. Despite an inspired performance from LeBron, a road loss to the Heat drops the Cavaliers records to 26-5 on the season and 0-3 on LeBron’s birthday.
December 30, 2009 (Age 25)
Statline: 48 points (15-23) 10 rebounds 6 assists
Score: Cavaliers 106 Hawks 101
LeBron gets his first birthday win with a dominant performance against the Hawks on the second night of a home-and-home series.
December 30, 2011 (Age 27)
Statline: 34 points (16-26) 8 rebounds 10 assists
Score: Heat 103 Timberwolves 101
Due to the late start of the NBA season following the lockout, LeBron’s birthday game was just the Heat’s fourth game of the season. A road win in Minnesota upped their record to 4-0.
December 30, 2013 (Age 29)
Statline: 26 points (8-15) 6 rebounds 10 assists
Score: Heat 97 Nuggets 94
After sitting out the previous game, a road tilt in Portland, LeBron returned for the Heat’s annual trip to the Mile High City. A typically efficient performance led to a close Miami win.
December 30, 2017 (Age 33)
Statline: 29 points (12-22) 8 rebounds 6 assists
Score: Jazz 104 Cavaliers 101
The Cavaliers staggered into Utah for the final stop of their three-game road trip. Despite LeBron’s impressive numbers, the rest of the team shot 22-59 and they dropped their third straight.
December 30, 2020 (Age 36)
Statline: 26 points (11-23) 5 rebounds 8 assists
Score: Lakers 121 Spurs 107
With the COVID-19 pandemic pushing back the start of the NBA season, the Lakers’ fifth game of the season fell on LeBron’s birthday. In front of few fans in San Antonio, the Lakers improved to 3-2 on the young season.
December 30, 2022 (Age 38)
Statline: 47 points (18-27) 10 rebounds 9 assists
Score: Lakers 130 Hawks 121
LeBron showed no signs of the abductor strain that sidelined him for a handful of games in November and delivered his best performance of the season during the Lakers’ win in Atlanta.
December 30, 2023 (Age 39)
Statline: 26 points (10-21) 3 rebounds 6 assists
Score: Timberwolves 108 Lakers 106
Despite waking up in Minnesota feeling sick, LeBron almost led a miracle comeback against the Wolves. But his apparent game-tying shot was later ruled a two-pointer and the Lakers fell short.