LeBron James says this "very well could be" his final NBA season, following his emotional return to Cleveland on Wednesday.

The four-time NBA winner could not prevent the Los Angeles Lakers' 129-99 defeat to his former side, the Cavaliers, in what was his worst loss at Rocket Arena as a visiting player.

James failed to score at least 20 points for the first time in 13 trips to Cleveland as an opposing player, as he registered only 11 points and was just 3-of-10 from the field.

The 41-year-old was reduced to tears during a timeout in the first quarter, when the Cavaliers played highlights of his 48-point performance against the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of their 2007 Eastern Conference finals series.

Final pic.twitter.com/pbQmtCwVkW

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 29, 2026

"I'm just trying to take everything in, not take the moments for granted," James said. "Because it could be [my last season]. I obviously haven't made a decision on the future, but it very well could be.

"I think it just comes from just being present. I was just more present today than I've been [in past trips to Cleveland]. [It] definitely got to me a little bit, for sure.

"Obviously, the question gets asked more, and the thought creeps in my mind more at 41 years old of when the end is, and where's the finish line for us to hang this thing up.

"But the drive is how much juice I can squeeze out of this orange. I'm in a battle with Father Time, and I'm taking it personally."

"I think there's certainly emotions always for him coming back here," Lakers coach JJ Redick added. "You could see that being back here is very important to him. And you know, there's a human element to all of this."