LeBron James Reveals New Challenge As Lakers Embark on Final Stretch of NBA Regular Season

• LeBron James has revealed that the remaining 23 regular season games are the most important of his career
• James and the Lakers are 13th in the Western Conference with a 27-32 record
• They missed the playoffs last season and James doesn't want a repeat of the same

LeBron James recently became the scoring leader in NBA history earlier this month, but he has already set another record for himself.

The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves 13th in the Western Conference with a 27-32 record. That may seem too far from the play-in spot, but they're just two games behind the 10th-placed Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers made wholesale changes to their team on the February 9th trade deadline. They moved Russell Westbrook and Patrick Beverley and added D’Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley. James believes these additions will significantly improve the team.

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The four-time NAB champion has never missed the playoffs for two straight seasons since his first and second seasons in the league in 2003/04 and 2004/05. He was sidelined for a few games after the trades were done and has not played much with his new teammates.

James sets new goal

On the sidelines of the 2023 NAB All-Star Game, the 38-year-old said the remaining 23 games are important.

"It's 23 of the most important games of my career, for a regular season..."I want to make a push to make the playoffs," James said. "I don't want to see myself not being part of the postseason for two years straight. It's just not part of my DNA," via ESPN.

James, who is playing in his 20th NBA season, is having a great campaign. He is averaging 30 points per game on 50.8% shooting, 8.4 rebounds and 7.0 assists.

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Although a play-in spot may be within their reach, they are still only 3½ games out of the sixth seed, which would give the Lakers an automatic playoff spot.

The four-time MVP has missed 14 games this season but plans to play the remaining games as they chase a playoff berth, per the Athletic. The Lakers missed the playoffs last season.

"I hope I can figure out a way to just make sure that I'm available on the floor every single night for these 23 games to give us a chance."

James lovely moment with Bryant family

Sports Brief earlier reported on James sharing a lovely moment with the Kobe Bryant family at the 2023 NBA All-Star event in Salt Lake City.

During the All-Star Game at Vivint Arena in Utah, Vanessa Bryant, Bryant's widow, and her daughters were seated on courtside seats.

James came over and hugged Kobe's oldest daughter Natalia then posed for a photo with Bianka and Capri.