LeBron James turned to wine with friends after Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff elimination

Just hours after the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs, LeBron James didn’t appear to be sulking — in fact, quite the opposite. The 40-year-old superstar was seen in high spirits, leaving Wally’s Beverly Hills restaurant around 4:00 a.m. following the Lakers' Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, which ended their postseason hopes.

LeBron James dressed head to toe in Louis Vuitton and flashing a big grin, and for fans, he looked more like someone celebrating a win than mourning a defeat. He was accompanied by a tight-knit circle of friends, including longtime confidant and super-agent Rich Paul, and Corey Gamble. Both were also seen at Crypto.com Arena earlier that evening, witnessing the Lakers fall 103-96 in a series-ending loss. According to TMZ Sports, James carried a large water bottle and a back cushion as he made his way to his car, seemingly relaxed and unfazed.

Despite the disappointing result, James still turned in a respectable individual performance, logging 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. But the team’s overall lack of size and consistency doomed them against a deeper, more balanced Timberwolves squad.
LeBron’s off-court reaction may have said more than the box score. As TMZ humorously noted, James seemed to embody the old sports adage: "Win or lose, we still booze." While it's not confirmed what the gathering entailed beyond the sighting, the vibe certainly felt more like a casual celebration than a mourning ritual.
The lighthearted tone didn’t sit well with every fan, especially given how emotional Lakers Nation can be after a disappointing playoff run. But LeBron’s demeanor reminded everyone that life — and legacy — go on. After all, when you’ve won four championships, been named MVP four times, and shattered nearly every major record in NBA history, a first-round exit might sting less.
The moment of wine, friends, and laughter was probably a coping mechanism, but the spotlight on James, even after the loss, remained.
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Additionally, James was also in the headlines as his retirement rumor sparked after the devastating loss that eliminated the Lakers from the playoffs. However, the 40-year-old seemingly has a few seasons in his sleeves.