LeBron James’ six dunks against the Rockets contribute to Lakers’ seventh consecutive victory.

HOUSTON — As LeBron James sat at his locker late Wednesday night, ice packs were wrapped around his right elbow and both knees, while his feet rested in a bucket of ice. He acknowledged feeling every bit of his age, 41 years and 78 days.

“Look at me right now,” James remarked after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-116 road victory over the Houston Rockets, extending their winning streak to a season-high seven games. “At this moment, I feel terrible. But during the game, I felt quite good. Before the game, I wasn’t feeling great. I was yawning and tired, literally talking to myself like, ‘Come on, let’s figure this out. Let’s get through it.’

“However, I felt pretty good during the game. I’m pleased I could make a few plays to assist our team in winning.”

Six of those plays during James’ 30-point performance on 13-of-14 shooting were dunks.

“That’s really impressive,” commented Lakers star Luka Doncic, who had another outstanding game with 40 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists. “It’s insane.”

As per ESPN Research, James hadn’t recorded that many dunks in a game since March 9, 2017. He executed three alley-oops, matching his highest in any game throughout his illustrious 23-year career.

The first of those alley-oops was an errant lob from guard Marcus Smart to James on a back cut, a pass that seemed destined for the baseline seats. Yet, James leaped to catch the pass and slam it home, creating a spectacular highlight for any player, regardless of age.

“The fact that he’s 41 and still as athletic, or even more athletic than about 95 percent of the league — still — and I think everyone would agree he’s lost a bit of athleticism,” said Lakers guard Austin Reaves, who contributed 14 points and eight assists. “It’s just incredible to think about. It’s absolutely mind-blowing.”

James’ display of athletic ability in Wednesday’s victory was on the extreme end of the spectrum, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected. According to NBA Advanced Stats, he entered the game ranked second in the league in fast break points (279), trailing speedy Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. James now has 77 dunks in 48 games, including three in Monday’s win over the Rockets.

“I’m not surprised anymore,” stated Kevin Durant, the Rockets’ 37-year-old superstar who scored 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting in the loss. “I mean, he’s a freak athlete. He’s a generational talent. He cares about and loves the game. He takes care of his body. This is what he does. He’s built for this, you know what I’m saying? Since he was a kid.

“I believe he could play until he’s 45 years old. I don’t know if he wants to be around that long, but I think he could continue for another four to five years, honestly. So yeah, it’s not surprising anymore. I mean, his age is 41, but he looks fantastic out there.”

James became the first Laker to score at least 30 points on 90% shooting from the floor since Shaquille O’Neal in March 2003. He also became the oldest player in NBA history to achieve this milestone, a record previously held by former Portland Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis, who was 36 years and 108 days old when he scored 32 points on 11-of-12 shooting.

James’ only miss occurred on a drive early in the fourth quarter. Houston’s Tari Eason was credited with a block, although James raised his arms and complained to the referee after falling to the ground.

“The one shot he missed, he was trying to draw a foul,” Lakers coach J.J. Redick joked.

Redick, who is also 41 years old and about six months older than James, retired as a player in 2021 after a 15-year career. He humorously remarked that he feels like a “loser” witnessing James’ explosiveness at his age on a regular basis.

“I can still touch the rim,” Redick said. “I can’t jump for three days after it, but I’ve got one jump in me.

“Just the preparation he puts into his body repeatedly — that to me is the ultimate sign of competitive stamina. He maintains it every single day and gets ready to ring the bell.”

The Lakers are depending on James less than ever and achieving remarkable results with the all-time leading scorer embracing his role as the team’s third offensive option behind Doncic and Reaves. James has had 15 or fewer field goal attempts in his last eight games, which is twice as long as any previous streak in his career with that few shots. He is averaging 20.8 points on 61.5% shooting from the floor during this stretch, and the Lakers have won seven of those eight games.

“Part of his evolution on this team, especially during this stretch, has been his patience,” Redick noted. “His patience, knowing he will get the ball and have transition opportunities, and that plays will be called for him, and he will play off-ball and get a corner 3 on the first play of the game. He will have those chances, and he has played very patiently.”

James’ final basket in Wednesday’s victory, which solidified the 44-25 Lakers’ hold on the third seed in the Western Conference, showcased the chemistry developing between Doncic and him. Doncic maneuvered past two defenders on a pick-and-roll to drive down the middle of the floor, and James executed a perfectly timed cut from the weak-side corner. Doncic attracted a crowd in the paint and tossed a lob to James, who finished with two hands, a decisive play that put the Lakers up six with 1:22 left.

Doncic celebrated by shuffling sideways up the court, smiling and staring down a courtside fan who had engaged him in a trash-talking exchange throughout the game.

“Winning’s fun, so just the way we play I think is a lot of fun,” Doncic stated. “That’s what we do. We win and we have a good time.”