LOS ANGELES (AP) — Age is more than just a number to LeBron James.
It's also a target.
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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and forward LeBron James (23) look on from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James scores a basket against Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and forward LeBron James (23) look on from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots a jumper against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
The 40-year-old James became the oldest player to score 40 points in an NBA game Thursday night, putting up a season-high 42 in the Los Angeles Lakers' 120-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors.
James passed the record held by Michael Jordan, his idol and the only other NBA player to score 40 after his 40th birthday.
“I’m old, that’s my take,” James said when asked about his latest achievement. “I need a glass of wine and some sleep, that’s what I think.”
Jordan did it for the Washington Wizards just three days after turning 40 in February 2003. James is 38 days removed from his 40th birthday last Dec. 30 — and it seems highly unlikely this will be the last time he hits the mark, since the top scorer in NBA history is still playing phenomenal basketball deep in his record-tying 22nd NBA season.
This feat is a remarkable bookend for James as well: He also is the youngest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game.
James first hit the mark 88 days after his 19th birthday on March 27, 2004, scoring 41 as a rookie for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the New Jersey Nets.
“Throughout my journey, anytime I’ve been named or put in a category of whatever the case, to cross paths with the greats is always humbling,” James said. “Just to know where I come from and I love the game so much, so it’s pretty cool.”
James also grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds and added eight assists while carrying the Lakers down the stretch against the Warriors and 36-year-old Stephen Curry, who put up 37 points in defeat.
“We’ve run out of words and superlatives and descriptions to capture what he’s doing at this stage of his career and at this age,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said. “It continues to be remarkable. It really does, and he really led us tonight. AR having an off shooting night, and we needed all of that offense from LeBron.”
James is still making NBA history while he waits to begin his new partnership with Luka Doncic, who watched his new teammate's domination from the bench for the second straight game since arriving in a trade with Dallas. Doncic is likely to make his Lakers debut on Monday night at home against Utah.
“I can’t wait, because everything I do on the floor, he has the ability to do it or do it even better,” James said. “That’s how great he is. Even at his young age, 25, he’s such a unique player. He’s a special player, a generational talent, so I’m super-appreciative to be able to share the floor with him and then watch him do his thing.”
James was outstanding all night against the Warriors. He scored 18 points in the second quarter in a spree highlighted by three 3-pointers in 38 seconds — the third from the Lakers' logo at midcourt. He basked in a standing ovation from the Lakers crowd while teammate Rui Hachimura placed an imaginary crown on his head.
James then stepped up down the stretch when the Lakers' 26-point lead dwindled to five in the fourth quarter. Golden State trailed by only six when James drained his sixth 3-pointer of the night with 1:08 to play, and he followed it with a half-court assist to Hachimura for a dunk that essentially sealed the win with 49 seconds left.
James didn't quite manage a triple-double against the Warriors, falling just short for the second straight game. He is the second-oldest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, and he's still about 90 days too young to break the record set by Karl Malone in 2003.
James has 10 triple-doubles this season, each one making him the second-oldest player to accomplish the feat.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and forward LeBron James (23) look on from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James scores a basket against Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and forward LeBron James (23) look on from the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots a jumper against Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield during the second half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills fans arrived early and lingered long after the game ended to bid what could be farewell to their long-time home stadium filled with 53 years of memories — and often piles of snow.
After singing along together to The Killers' “Mr. Brightside” in the closing minutes of a 35-8 victory against the New York Jets, most everyone in the crowd of 70,944 remained in their seats to bask in the glow of fireworks as Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World” played over the stadium speakers.
Several players stopped in the end zone to watch a retrospective video, with the Buffalo-based Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris” as the soundtrack while fans recorded selfie videos of the celebratory scene. Offensive lineman Alec Anderson even jumped into the crowd to pose for pictures before leaving the field.
With the Bills (12-5), the AFC's 6th seed, opening the playoffs at Jacksonville in the wild-card round next week, there's but a slim chance they'll play at their old home again. Next season, Buffalo is set to move into its new $1.2 billion facility being built across the street.
The farewell game evoked “a lifetime of memories,” said Therese Forton-Barnes, selected the team’s Fan of the Year, before the Bills kicked of their regular-season finale. “In our culture that we know and love, we can bond together from that experience. Our love for this team, our love for this city, have branched from those roots.”
Forton-Barnes, a past president of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, attended Bills games as a child at the old War Memorial Stadium in downtown Buffalo, colloquially known as “The Rockpile.” She has been a season ticket holder since Jim Kelly joined the Bills in 1986 at what was then Rich Stadium, later renamed for the team’s founding owner Ralph Wilson, and then corporate sponsors New Era and Highmark.
“I’ve been to over 350 games,” she said. “Today we’re here to cherish and celebrate the past, present and future. We have so many memories that you can’t erase at Rich Stadium, The Ralph, and now Highmark. Forever we will hold these memories when we move across the street.”
There was a celebratory mood to the day, with fans arriving early. Cars lined Abbott Road some 90 minutes before the stadium lots opened for a game the Bills rested most of their starters, with a brisk wind blowing in off of nearby Lake Erie and with temperatures dipping into the low 20s.
And most were in their seats when Bills owner Terry Pegula thanked fans and stadium workers in a pregame address.
With Buffalo leading 21-0 at halftime, many fans stayed in their seats as Kelly and fellow Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Reed addressed them from the field, and the team played a video message from 100-year-old Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy.
“The fans have been unbelievable,” said Jack Hofstetter, a ticket-taker since the stadium opened in 1973 who was presented with Super Bowl tickets before Sunday’s game by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield. “I was a kid making 8 bucks a game back in those days. I got to see all the sports, ushering in the stadium and taking tickets later on. All the memories, it’s been fantastic.”
Bud Light commemorated the stadium finale and Bills fan culture with the release of a special-edition beer brewed with melted snow shoveled out of the stadium earlier this season.
In what has become a winter tradition at the stadium, fans were hired to clear the stands after a lake-effect storm dropped more than a foot of snow on the region this week.
The few remaining shovelers were still present clearing the pathways and end zone stands of snow some five hours before kickoff. The new stadium won’t require as many shovelers, with the field heated and with more than two-thirds of the 60,000-plus seats covered by a curved roof overhang.
Fears of fans rushing the field were abated with large contingent of security personnel and backed by New York State troopers began lining the field during the final 2-minute warning.
Fans stayed in the stands, singing along to the music, with many lingering to take one last glimpse inside the stadium where the scoreboard broadcast one last message:
“Thank You, Bills Mafia.”
AP Sports Writer John Wawrow contributed.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Fans watch a ceremony after the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27) remains on the field to watch a tribute video after the Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y.(AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Fans watch a ceremony after the Buffalo Bills beat the New York Jets in the Bills' final regular-season NFL football home game in Highmark Stadium Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Fans celebrate after the Buffalo Bills scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Fans celebrate and throw snow in the stands after an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Aga Deters, right, and her husband Fred Deters, walk near Highmark Stadium before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Michael Wygant shoves snow from a tunnel before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Alec Anderson (70) spikes the ball after running back Ty Johnson scored a touchdown against the New York Jets in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
FILE - The existing Highmark Stadium, foreground, frames the construction on the new Highmark Stadium, upper right, which is scheduled to open with the 2026 season, shown before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, Oct. 5, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Salt crew member Jim Earl sprinkles salt in the upper deck before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
