LeBron James Prepares for 23rd Season with Determination Despite MCL Injury

Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James is preparing for his 23rd season in the NBA despite sustaining an MCL injury during the team's elimination game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 40-year-old James appeared to injure his left knee after running into Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo, but was able to return and play down the stretch. Despite the loss, James has not commented on his future plans since then, but many expect him to opt into his $52.2 million player option and return to the Lakers. He has made it clear that he is focused on being 100 percent healthy by training camp, which begins in late September. "I have a lot of time to take care of my injury, my knee, the rest of my body and make sure I'm as close to 100 percent as possible when training camp begins," James told the Associated Press. While James' age has added some uncertainty to the situation, he didn't show any signs of decline last season. He averaged 24.4 points and 8.2 assists in 70 games, earning him his 21st selection to the NBA All-Star Game. James admitted that he knows the end of his career is coming soon, but he is waiting to see how his body bounces back and how his family feels before determining how long he wants to keep playing. "At this point of my career, you think about when the end is. That's human nature," he said. "You think, is it this year? Or next year? Those thoughts always creep into your mind at this point of the journey." Despite his age, James' commitment to staying in top shape and his desire to continue playing for as long as possible make him a force to be reckoned with in the NBA. His return for another season will undoubtedly be a highlight of the upcoming season, and fans will be eagerly awaiting his performance on the court.