2025-26 Season

LEBRON JAMES

Los Angeles Lakers | Forward | 6-9

2025-26 Season

LEBRON JAMES

Los Angeles Lakers | Forward | 6-9 | Yr 22

20.9 PPG

6.1 RPG

7.3 APG

33.2 MPG

+11.3 Impact

James produces at an elite rate for a 33-minute workload.

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NET IMPACT BREAKDOWN

Every stat, every credit, every cost — per game average

+11.3

Scoring +18.5

Points 20.9 PPG = +14.8

Shot Making above expected FG% = +3.7

Creation +2.8

Creation 7.3 AST/g = +2.8

Turnovers -7.2

Turnovers 3.0/g = -7.2

Defense +2.3

Defense 1.2 STL, 0.6 BLK = +2.3

Hustle & Effort +4.2

Rebounds 6.1 RPG = +4.2

Raw Impact +20.6

Baseline (game-average expected) −9.3

Net Impact

+11.3

91st pctl vs Forwards

PBP Credit: Every play is analyzed from play-by-play data. Scorers get difficulty-adjusted credit, assisters get creation value based on the shot opportunity they created, and turnovers are classified by type. Shot difficulty is derived from 1M+ shots across 4 seasons. Full methodology

TEAM COMPARISON

Impact

Creation

Hustle

Defense

of 15 teammates (10+ games, 10+ min)

Luka Dončić +23.6 LeBron James +11.3 Austin Reaves +10.9 Deandre Ayton +9.5 Rui Hachimura +1.7 Jaxson Hayes -0.2 Luke Kennard -0.6 Jake LaRavia -0.7 Nick Smith Jr. -2.1 Marcus Smart -2.2 Jarred Vanderbilt -4.3 Bronny James -4.3 Dalton Knecht -5.4 Maxi Kleber -6.8 Gabe Vincent -7.2

Similar Players

Same position, closest production profile this season.

SKILL DNA

Percentile rank vs 234 Forwards with 10+ games

Scoring 92th

20.9 PPG

Efficiency 69th

59.4% TS

Playmaking 98th

7.3 APG

Rebounding 83th

6.1 RPG

Defense 66th

+7.9/g

Hustle 88th

+18.1/g

Creation 99th

+7.30/g

Shot Making 76th

+7.60/g

TO Discipline 5th

0.09/min

THE SEASON SO FAR

A stark tale of two seasons defined LeBron James’s first twenty games, beginning with a lethargic slump before erupting into a relentless downhill assault. During a disastrous 12/01 vs PHX matchup, he managed just 10 points while posting a brutal -17.8 impact score, dragged down heavily by poor shot selection and a glaring lack of defensive engagement. Even when his scoring volume rebounded on 01/12 vs SAC with 22 points, his overall impact cratered to -4.4 because persistent perimeter struggles actively stalled the offense. He simply had to stop settling. He flipped the script entirely on 12/20 vs LAC, dropping 36 points and generating a massive +13.7 impact by abandoning contested jumpers in favor of aggressive downhill attacks and elite defensive metrics. By trading lazy perimeter habits for physical bully-ball drives and masterful half-court orchestration, the veteran transformed back into an unstoppable offensive engine.

A frustrating pattern of hidden costs and careless execution defined this erratic mid-season stretch for LeBron James. Even when his raw passing numbers looked robust, sluggish transition defense and sloppy ball security frequently dragged his actual value into the red. Look no further than the 02/05 vs PHI matchup. A seemingly respectable 17-point, 10-assist double-double masked a disastrous -19.9 impact score fueled by forced perimeter jumpers and brutal turnovers. He could still flip the switch when fully engaged, generating a massive +17.1 impact on 02/03 vs BKN through dominant interior scoring and exceptional defensive rotations. James also found ways to salvage value on off nights, like his performance on 02/22 vs BOS. Despite clanking his way to a 9-for-21 shooting night, high-level playmaking and elite defensive effort insulated his overall rating to earn a +8.3 impact.

A volatile tug-of-war between surgical brilliance and careless execution defined this late-season stretch for LeBron James. When he locked in, his advanced metrics skyrocketed, peaking on Mar 18 vs HOU. During that contest, a near-flawless 13-for-14 shooting display yielded 30 points and a massive +21.0 impact as he picked apart the defense with elite shot selection. Even when his scoring volume dipped, his sheer basketball IQ compensated beautifully. On Mar 05 vs DEN, he managed just 16 points but still posted a robust +11.2 impact because his elite defensive positioning dictated the game's flow. Yet, hidden costs frequently reared their ugly heads to sabotage his box score. Look no further than Apr 05 vs DAL, where he amassed 30 points, 9 rebounds, and 15 assists, but suffered a -5.9 impact because poor defensive metrics and hidden mistakes dragged his overall value firmly into the red.

IMPACT TIMELINE

Game-by-game performance vs average. Green = above average, red = below.

Best Game

28 PTS vs PHX

Apr 10 | +34.4 impact

Worst Game

11 PTS vs CLE

Jan 28 | -12.0 impact

PATTERNS

Very consistent. James posts positive impact in 82% of games — you almost always get a productive night. Scoring varies by ~6 points, but the overall contribution stays positive.

Reliable shooter — hits 45%+ from the field in 74% of games. You can count on efficient nights more often than not.

Defensive difference-maker. James consistently forces tough shots and protects the rim — opponents shoot worse when he's guarding them.

Hot right now — 10 straight games with positive impact. Longest positive run this season: 10 games.

MATCHUP HISTORY

Based on 56 games with tracking data. Shows who guarded this player on offense and who he guarded on defense, with their shooting stats in those matchups.