There’s a reason LeBron James is an NBA legend. At 40 years old and in his 22nd season, the Los Angeles Lakers star has emerged as one of the best defensive players in the 2025 playoffs, even ahead of defensive monsters like Ivica Zubac, Jalen Duren, and Jaren Jackson JrRumors about his imminent retirement have been a constant in recent years. But as soon as they start to buzz again, James is quick to silence them with masterful performances like the one in Game 4 of the first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he recorded three blocks in the final quarter, one of which was a sure layup, and a steal.In that game, LeBron had the luxury of making a clean strip on Anthony Edwards in the final seconds, but the officials erroneously called a foul, nullifying the play. The Wolves eliminated the Lakers in the first round this year, but that doesn’t diminish James’ stats.LeBron’s Defense Dominates the Playoffs
The Lakers forward is a versatile defender in postseason games, but he’s the King of the rim. According to advanced metrics, LeBron leads the league in field goal percentage at 36.4%. This statistic only considers players who have defended at least 20 shots in the playoffs.
It’s not just that LeBron surpasses even elite centers like Kristaps Porzingis (62.5%) or Chet Holmgren (57.7%), he’s also a master of stocks-steals and blocks combined-with 17 in four games this year alone, averaging 2.3 blocks and 2 steals per game, 4th and 6th overall in the NBA, respectively.
Furthermore, the King is tireless. His performances maintain the level of offense and defense the entire time he’s on the court. James averages 40.8 minutes per game in the postseason with 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per gameEven his critics admit that LeBron doesn’t have easy defensive assignments. In the postseason, James has stopped players of the caliber of Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards, while in the regular season, players like Kawhi Leonard and Ron Artest can tell you firsthand how difficult it is to overcome LeBron on defense.
While LeBron’s offensive exploits often grab the headlines, his defensive work deserves a book in itself. With the King threatening to keep playing as long as his body and passion allow, his rivals should be more than concerned.
