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LeBron James was a meme machine for his NBA career. Have we seen his last images?

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LeBron James is the NBA’s career leading scorer. And while there’s no official way to track it, he might be the league’s career leader in memes — and that was before this postseason.

The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, and questions about James’ future were immediately asked. Rightfully so, as he’s 41 years old and just finished his 23rd season in the league, his eighth in Southern California. But during his miraculous career on the court, James has also built a library of images that fans have been able to use “insert LeBron meme” as an actual response on various social media platforms.

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Several of James’ moments are a part of NBA X (many still call it “NBA Twitter”) lore. Some of those moments might not have been intentional, but with so many eyes on James, something would eventually catch social media’s attention. The 2026 playoffs added an influx of memes featuring James.

Take, for example, the certain looks that James gave teammates during games. This particular glare during Game 3 of the Lakers’ series against the Thunder was directed at Deandre Ayton as the Lakers trailed. James could have just been looking at the court, but that doesn’t mean the memes didn’t follow.

James inadvertently added to the meme catalog following Game 2 of the series. After the Lakers dropped a 125-107 decision, James and his teammates were standing near midcourt, listening intently as Austin Reaves demonstratively spoke to referees. James nodded in agreement with everything Reaves said.

The internet comedians pounced, as that moment led to a series of jokes.

James delivered other memorable moments during the first round of the playoffs, spawning countless jokes. NBA fans won’t soon forget the exchange at the free-throw line between James and Houston Rockets big Alperen Şengün during their first-round series.

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After James drew a foul during the fourth quarter of Game 5, the 23-year-old Şengün took a shot at the player with 23 NBA seasons under his belt. Unhappy with the blown whistle, Şengün called the foul a “soft-ass call.”

James responded to Şengün, “Anybody else of y’all roster, but not you. … You the only person out here (that) ain’t allowed to say that.”

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Promptly, the internet reacted, and with the help of James’ “Who’s this guy?” look in a Game 6 when the Lakers clinched the series, more internet gold was found within 48 hours.

Some might consider James the funniest NBA player who doesn’t try to be funny. His status as the league’s most memeable player has only grown during his time in Los Angeles.

Last Thursday’s moment with Reaves might not even be the funniest featuring the duo. They had a good laugh with Steve Nash about a moment discussed on the “Mind the Game” podcast in March. (Add this one with zero context to the list, as well.)

Neither James nor Reaves remembered exactly what happened, but the facial expressions spawned multiple comments. It was one of several moments they seemed to share throughout the season.

Before that podcast episode, the teammates’ roles were reversed in January.

And then there are the memes where James doesn’t have to say a word. His nonverbal communication ranks among the best in the game.

In this clip, James got the attention of Marcus Smart during Game 1 against the Rockets. It’s a meme that even James addressed — but it meant so much more for the comedic relief.

One of the season’s more underrated moments came in March at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. During a fast break against the Indiana Pacers, James received a pass from Maxi Kleber, avoided a steal attempt by Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard and scored on a layup. During the play, the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam and Aaron Nesmith attempted to block the shot, but both fell on the floor.

James pointing at them might be one of the underrated moments this season.

James has done so much on the court during his 23 years, but nestled between the multiple NBA records broken, the numerous accolades, the four league championships and three Olympic gold medals will always be the internet moments provided. Fans will never forget his reaction to a bad decision by J.R. Smith, which resulted in him — wearing his business suit with shorts instead of pants — walking out of a news conference.

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James has always appreciated fan interaction. It only helps when the fans are rooting against him. People still remember when the Lakers played the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, and James had a little fun with fans sitting courtside.

There have been times when James reminds everyone that he’s still just a big kid at heart. Remember Wendell Carter Jr.’s broken goggles, which James tried on? Or the time he took a shot to the face, only then to get caught playing Peekaboo? Or the multiple times he interrupted his Miami Heat teammates in interviews to purposefully make the blooper reels?

Whether we get new memes from James playing in a 24th season remains to be seen. But the internet will live on, as will James’ memes of the past.

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