LeBron James has officially quit drinking to keep his back and joints healthy for another Lakers playoff run

LeBron James reportedly quit drinking alcohol so he can take pressure off his back and joints and “keep up with the young guys,” and honestly, as much as it pains me to say it, that’s the right move for a guy walking around with a Year 23 patch on his jersey, celebrating his own NBA career.

LeBron James officially puts down the bottle

LeBron James reportedly quit drinking alcohol, per @mcten

“There's no telling the ride the Lakers could still go on this spring, especially if James can find that cape to put back on. While James is eight years older, he has shown a similar commitment to this season's Lakers… pic.twitter.com/e7MKUuzyst

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 28, 2026

While everyone spends the season debating his next move and treating his career like a live reality show, we have Lebron James, likely leaking this story himself because he thinks it makes him feel like the elder statesman of The Association, acting boring and responsible while pretending it’s psycho-competitive stuff that keeps him on the court.

The report, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin which was (shocker) picked up everywhere, says LeBron James stopped drinking during his rehab and noticeably slimmed down as part of that reset.

The goal was simple. Less strain on the body. Better recovery. More juice late in the year. He literally framed it as trying to keep up with the younger guys because there’s nothing LeBron James likes more than reminding everyone how old he is.

As I’m sure you know, LeBron James is the guy who’s always been associated with wine, the classy billionaire hobby that makes him feel like more of a grown man, along with the endless alcohol sponsorships and a private chef that gives him more money than God.

He’s talked about enjoying red wine for years and basically built an entire “I’m still elite but also cultured” brand around it. There’s one thing you can’t fake, however. That’s Father Time tapping you on the shoulder telling you that you can’t drink like you used to.

To be clear, I do not believe LeBron James was drinking enough alcohol to actually feel such negative side effects such as taking pressure off his back and joints. He’s a physical specimen and one of the world’s greatest liars.

Check out the latest… lol

LeBron James reportedly didn’t ask the Lakers to draft Bronny James, per @ramonashelburne

(Via @ESPNLosAngeles ) pic.twitter.com/xLrEtG7FS7

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 27, 2026

This is just a dog and pony show, but I’ll entertain it because the overall idea makes perfect sense. Anyone over 30 years old understands the toll alcohol can take on your body. Hangovers stop being funny. All of the sudden, you drink a couple beers on Friday and spend Saturday walking like you got hit by a truck.

LeBron’s just doing the same math everybody else does, except it’s probably just a cheesy publicity stunt to remind everyone that he’s still trying to chase another ring.

Clearly, I’m critical of LeBron as much as anyone, but as mentioned, I’ll entertain the move because I’m on the wrong side of 30 too. I used to be able to go out all night on Friday after work, wake up, play 18, day and night drink through Sunday, and show up to work Monday like nothing happened.

Those days are dead. I went to a wedding last weekend and it took me until Wednesday night to feel normal again. Granted, I’m also in my dirty martini era and still haven’t figured out the best way to pace my intake. On top of that, the typical Guinness, shots of Jim Beam and my general “I still got it” routine hasn’t changed either.

For the record, I do not still have it. I’m also not a freak like LeBron James. That’s the difference. Maybe a few glasses of red wine with dinner knocks him out and he really needs to cut the fun stuff out to buy him and the Lakers one more run at a Larry O’.

Or maybe this is just another LeBron James article where nothing is real and we’re all still stuck paying attention to someone who constantly lies about everything. I honestly don’t know and I’m not here to judge. In fact, I’m about to pour myself a glass of bourbon.

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