24.4 points ≠ failure! King James s 20 Years of Legendary Revelation: Who dares to question his greatness?

On April 13, 2025, the NBA regular season finale, a piece of news ignited the basketball circle: The Lakers officially announced that LeBron James missed the last game against the Trail Blazers due to a strained left groin.

So far, the 40-year-old veteran's average score per game was frozen at 24.4 points, and the epic record of averaging 25+ points per game for 20 consecutive seasons has come to an end.

The last time he averaged less than 25 points in the season, which can be traced back to 20.9 points in the 2003-04 rookie season. This ending is not only the helplessness of time, but also another annotation of the legend.

1. End of the record: The turning point from "necessity" to "accidental"

James' 20 consecutive seasons of 25+ records were once regarded as an unshakable basketball monument.

Since the 2004-05 season, no matter how the team's lineup changes or how the league rules are adjusted, he has always defined the "evergreen" standard with stable output.

However, the double impact of injury and age this season finally brought the record to an end.

The fatal blow of injury

At the beginning of this season, James is still in a hot state. In February, he averaged 29 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists per game, not only leading the Lakers to the top three in the Western Conference, but also was elected as the player of the month at the age of 40, setting a record for the oldest record in history.

However, the recurrence of groin injury in March was a turning point. He missed seven games as a result, and his form declined significantly after his comeback, with his average score dropping to 21.7 points, and his shooting percentage was also dragged down. Before the final battle, if he wanted to continue the record, he would need to score 65 points in a single game - this has long become an "impossible task" under the limitations of the rest strategy and physical conditions.

Objective law of age

40-year-old James is still breaking the "oldest" record: the oldest triple-double, the oldest average 20+5+5 players...

However, the decline in physical functions cannot be completely avoided. This season, his average playing time has dropped to 34.9 minutes, the second lowest in his career; his defensive end is more responsible for assisted defense tasks, while his offensive end reduces ball-holding breakthroughs, and instead relies on experience and shooting efficiency.

Even so, he still handed in comprehensive data of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 51.3%, which is still a top performance in league history.

2. The significance of record: The dominance of the "fault" behind the greatness

Despite the end of the record, the 20 consecutive seasons of 25+ myth created by James is still one of the most difficult milestones to break in basketball history.

Compare active stars: Durant has approached his limit for 25+ for 16 consecutive seasons, and new generations such as Doncic and Tatum have not yet crossed the threshold for the 10-season. The value of this record

is not only in the time span, but also in the stability and adaptability behind it. 2}

Era leap and evolution

From the violent aesthetics of "Calligraphy 1.0", to the all-around forward in the Heat period, to the organizational core of the Lakers stage, James has always dominated in different basketball eras.

He has experienced the NBA's transformation from traditional inside dominance to small ball trend. He has faced opponents of different styles such as Kobe, Duncan, Curry, Jokic, etc., but has always maintained his average score per game at 25+.

This adaptability is far beyond the meaning of data itself. The invisible value behind "25 points"

Average of 25 points is not only a reflection of scoring ability, but also a comprehensive test of attendance rate, tactical status and stress resistance.

James averaged less than 25 points per game in just two seasons in his career (rookie season and this season), and has never been absent for a long time due to major injuries.

Even after a serious groin injury in the 2018-19 season, he still announced his return with 27.4 points. This kind of tenacity is exactly what distinguishes him from other stars.

3. The Crossroads of the Lakers: Inheritance and Challenge coexist

This season, the Lakers locked in third in the Western Conference with 50 wins and 32 losses. James is still the core engine for the team's promotion, but his future with the Lakers has quietly entered the countdown.

Doncic's succession and James' transfer

Lakers management has vigorously trained Luka Doncic in recent years, whose data averaged 28.1 points, 9.2 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game this season is close to the MVP level.

James took the initiative to reduce the ball rights, played more roles in the organizer, and even took more responsibilities on the defensive end.

This "giving up" is not only an optimization of the team's future layout, but also an optimization of one's own physical fitness allocation.

The last goal of the playoffs?

The Lakers' goal this season is still the championship, but James' form will be the X factor.

The repeated groin injuries have laid hidden dangers for the playoffs, and Western Conference opponents such as the Thunder and Rockets are all good at young lineups and high-speed offense and defense.

If you fail to win the championship, the 2025-26 season is likely to become James' "last dance".

4. Beyond the Data: The ultimate definition of the legend, the end of the record has made James' historical status clearer - he has long surpassed the shackles of data and became a symbol of basketball culture.

Social influence from players to leaders

James' influence goes far beyond the court.

He has devoted himself to social welfare for a long time, provided educational opportunities for poor children, actively spoke for minorities, and even promoted the establishment of the NBA's Social Justice Foundation. This "leader" role makes him a bridge between sports and society.

Redefine "longevity"

There are very few players at the age of 40 who are still competitive in the top league, and James not only does this, but also continues to affect the victory or defeat of the game..

His self-discipline (million dollars in body care per year), basketball IQ (historical top tactical understanding) and professional attitude (21 years of zero scandal) set a benchmark for his juniors.

5. Future Outlook: The end point is also the starting point. The end of the record is by no means the end point of the legend.

Next season, James is expected to reach a career milestone of 42,000 points (currently only 35 points away from 42,000 points), and continue to refresh assists, rebounds and other data.

More importantly, his existence itself is a treasure of basketball - whether he eventually retires or fights for another year, his story will inspire generations of players. The ultimate discussion of historical status. James' historical ranking may never be determined, but it is undisputed: he is the only player who can compete with Jordan for "GOAT".

4 championships, 4 FMVPs, historical scoring champions, 20 All-Stars... These honors and his influence in the times constitute the unique "James phenomenon".

Conclusion

The end of 20 consecutive seasons of 25+ is the confirmation of time on the iron law of mortals, but it is also the legend's most tragic resistance to the years.

LeBron James once again proved that "great" is never limited to a record with 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.

When fans sigh for the end of the record, they should cherish every minute he is still on the field - because of such a legend, we may never be able to witness the second time.