Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is unsure if Monday's series-ending defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder was his final NBA game.
"I don't know, obviously. We're still fresh from losing. I don't know what the future holds for me," James said, according to team reporter Mike Trudell.
He added, "I'll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk to them, spend some time with them, and when the time comes, you guys will know what I decide to do."
James recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists on 8-of-18 shooting in Game 4, but he missed a driving attempt with 20 seconds left that would have put the Lakers ahead.
"I left everything I could out on the floor. I control what I can control, and I can leave the floor saying, even though I hate losing, I was locked in on what we needed to do," James said. "I tried to make sure our guys were locked in on what we needed to do. Obviously we fell a little short, but I'm not looking at my year as a disappointment, that's for damn sure."
The 2025-26 campaign was James' 23rd season, an NBA record. For the first time in his celebrated career, the 41-year-old played a complementary role in support of the Lakers' two leading scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
"I've never been a third option in my life. To be able to thrive in that role for that period of time and then have to step back (into the lead role)," James said, according to The Athletic's Dan Woike.
James has been noncommittal about retirement when asked throughout the season. He is in the final year of a two-year, $101.4-million contract and set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
"There's nothing I need to show in this league. ... I've done it all, seen it all," James added. "Just being able to compete and trying to win championships, that's always been the motivating factor. 'How can I compete for a championship?' ... As far as me individually? No."
The four-time champion appeared in 60 regular-season games this season, the fifth fewest of his career. He missed the first 14 games of the campaign while dealing with sciatica.
"The love of the game is always there. I don't think it ever goes away," James told reporters, including ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "But the process to me has always been so much more important. Because if I fell out of love with the process, then I'd probably fall out of love with the game."
