LeBron James admits he hasn’t been the same since 2021 collision with Solomon Hill

For more than two decades, LeBron James has defined excellence in the National Basketball Association, building a résumé that places him firmly in the conversation as the greatest player in league history. From four championships to multiple MVP awards and the distinction of becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James’ legacy is already secure.

Yet even as he continues to defy age—still producing at an elite level at 41 with the Los Angeles Lakers—the physical toll of a long career has become increasingly evident. While James remains remarkably durable compared to most players in their late 30s and early 40s, injuries have become a more frequent hurdle in recent seasons, subtly altering the rhythm of his dominance.

In a candid interview with Dave McMenamin of ESPN, James pinpointed a specific moment that he believes fundamentally changed his body’s durability: a 2021 game against the Atlanta Hawks.

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The incident occurred during the second quarter of a regular-season matchup in March of the 2020–21 campaign. As James secured a loose ball, Hawks forward Solomon Hill dove in pursuit, colliding with James’ legs in an awkward sequence that immediately sent the Lakers star crashing to the floor. What initially appeared to be a routine hustle play quickly turned into a pivotal moment in James’ career.

The diagnosis—a severe high ankle sprain—forced James to miss 20 games, one of the longest injury absences of his career. At the time, he was playing at an MVP level, leading the Lakers in their pursuit of back-to-back championships following their 2020 title run. The injury not only derailed his individual momentum but also disrupted the team’s rhythm, ultimately impacting their title defense.

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— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 29, 2026

Reflecting on that moment, James admitted that the effects have lingered ever since.

“For sure. My foot and my ankle ain’t been the same since. Ever since that injury, I have been fighting uphill to get it back to normal. But it’s been a little blah ever since. What could have been, for sure. I was playing some of the best basketball of my career up until that point and leading this franchise in the right direction and then something like that happens, a high ankle sprain, and there’s nothing you can do about that,” LeBron said.

The comments offer a rare glimpse into the long-term physical challenges faced by even the most elite athletes. Known for his meticulous approach to conditioning and recovery, James has long been praised for investing heavily in his body to extend his prime years. However, the 2021 injury appears to have marked a turning point—less in terms of performance, and more in terms of how his body responds to the grind of an NBA season.

James also revealed his immediate reaction to the injury, underscoring how much was at stake during that stretch of his career.

“I have hurt my ankle and my foot a couple times and I have laced my shoes up and went back and played. And that was kind of my mindset. Please no. Please, not right now. Because I am playing too well. I have a chance to have a historical season,” he added.

Despite the lingering effects, James has continued to produce at a level rarely seen for a player of his age, adapting his game while maintaining his impact as both a scorer and playmaker. His ability to remain among the league’s elite—even while managing physical setbacks—has only added another layer to his already unparalleled legacy.

As the Lakers continue to build around their veteran cornerstone, James’ reflections serve as both a reminder of how quickly circumstances can shift in professional sports and a testament to the resilience required to sustain greatness over time.

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