Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James said his future in the NBA remains uncertain following his team's elimination from the playoffs after a Game 4 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The 39-year-old forward, who is in his 21st NBA season, declined to commit to returning for another campaign when asked about his plans during post-game interviews. James left open the possibility of retirement, marking the second consecutive year he has expressed uncertainty about his basketball future after a playoff exit.

The Lakers' season ended with their first-round playoff series loss to Oklahoma City, preventing the team from advancing deeper into the postseason. James, who signed a two-year contract extension with Los Angeles in 2022, has previously contemplated retirement but ultimately returned to play.

James' comments come as the Lakers face questions about their roster construction and championship prospects. The four-time NBA champion has been vocal about his desire to compete for titles in the latter stages of his career, and the team's early playoff exit may factor into his decision-making process about whether to continue playing professional basketball.