"You want me to compare us to them? That's a championship team right there. We're not," James told reporters. "We can't sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can. That's why they won a championship."
The Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Monday (tip at 10 p.m. ET). Those looking to place a player prop bet can find odds for Chet Holmgren and others in this game. How to Watch Thunder vs. Lakers Date: Monday, February 9, 2026 Time: 10 p.m. ET How to watch on TV: Peacock Location: Los Angeles, California Venue: Crypto.com Arena
An emotional LeBron James admitted it "very well could be" his final appearance in Cleveland after being moved to tears during last night's 129-99 defeat for the Los Angeles Lakers. James, who won the NBA title in his second spell with the Cavaliers in 2016, has yet to decide whether he will retire at the end of the season, bringing an end to one of the greatest careers in the game's history.
I don't take for granted the LeBron stuff. It's unfortunate actually - not to go on a little tangent here - but it's actually unfortunate how much this guy puts into it and how much he cares and the way certain people talk about him. It's crazy. Come be around him every day and see how much this guy cares. It's off the charts.
Super cool. Super surreal. Super humbled, blessed. I walked in here and saw it for the first time. It was like an emotional moment as well. Just think about the journey thus far and have an opportunity to be here where it kind of all started obviously, but in this city. And it's been a heck of a journey and people have followed my career and my fans have followed my career to get an opportunity to be a part of it.
LeBron James will miss the game against the San Antonio Spurs with right sciatica and left foot arthritis, the Lakers announced Wednesday. James has starred for the Lakers (23-11) during their three-game winning streak, averaging 29 points in victories against the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. He's paired effortlessly with Luka Doncic as the duo scored 30 points each in Tuesday's win over the Pelicans.
It is remarkable I have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and got to get an injection on my knee, Redick said after Monday afternoon's practice. My body is old and broken. It's like that [maxim]: If you don't use it, you lose it. Redick, who played in the NBA for 15 seasons, retired after the 2020-21 season, spending the first three years of his post-playing career as a broadcaster/podcaster before becoming the Lakers' head coach in June 2024. And once I stopped using it, I lost it all, Redick said. I can still barely touch the rim though, which is nice.
"I always loved, and still love obviously, shooting him," Butler told ESPN. "He's always engaged. Some guys are only engaged when they have the ball. But if he's in the corner, if he has the ball, if he's on the bench, he's engaged in the game and you just kind of gravitate toward that. I think he also is one of those superstars that understands the moment."
