James has a season-high 42 points, but the Lakers squander most of a 26-point lead before hanging on for a 120-112 victory, their 10th win in the past 12 games. Curry scores 37.

Since returning 40 years old on Dec. 30, James has averaged a stellar 26.2 points. That said, scoring his age has so far eluded him. When Michael Jordan turned 40 while playing for the Washington Wizards on Feb. 17, 2003, he scored 43 just days later against the New Jersey Nets.

The Lakers' trade for center Mark Williams shows that the team isn't just looking toward the future. They want to win now.