A bleary-eyed LeBron James partied his sorrows away as he stayed out until the early hours following the Los Angeles Lakers’ crushing playoff exit. 

The Lakers were dumped out of the NBA playoffs by rising star Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, bringing the curtain down on their season and potentially James’ career. 

After Los Angeles’s season was ended in heartbreaking fashion by the Timberwolves’ conclusive 4-1 series lead, James, who turned 40 in December, was left facing many calls from fans to retire. 

But if the impending pressure of uncertainty was weighing on the NBA legend, he didn’t let it show. In fact, his post-game activities were far from somber. 

James had a surprising reaction to the Lakers’ defeat. Instead of holing himself up and wallowing in misery, the basketball icon hit the town. 

He was spotted partying until 4am alongside his agent Rich Paul and friend Corey Gamble, the boyfriend of Kardashian matriarch, Kris Jenner. 

LeBron James was captured partying until 4am after Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff elimination

The NBA legend was spotted at Wally’s Wine Restaurant in Beverly Hills in the early hours 

James was joined by friend Corey Gamble (left) and agent Rich Paul (not pictured) 

James and his entourage headed to Wally’s Wine Restaurant – a popular bar in the heart of Beverly Hills. 

The Lakers superstar was captured leaving the venue in the early hours of Thursday morning, still dressed in the same outfit he wore to arrive at Wednesday night’s game. 

James, the NBA’s all-time leading points scorer, donned a beige Louis Vuitton zippered blouson monogrammed with the fashion house’s signature logo, worth $3,100. 

He paired the jacket with wide-legged tailored pants in the same color and white sneakers. 

Surprisingly, James’s wife Savannah and eldest son Bronny, who also plays for the Lakers, were nowhere in sight. 

The 38-year-old mother of three had been on hand to offer her husband and son support at Crypto.com Arena. 

Savannah was captured embracing the pair as they headed to the locker room following their devastated loss. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves sent the Lakers packing after claiming a 103-96 win in Game 5 of their first-round battle, which handed them a conclusive 4-1 lead in the series and a place in the conference semifinals.

The 40-year-old sported the same Louis Vuitton outfit he wore to arrive to the game

L-R: Bronny James, Bryce James, Zhuri James, Savannah James, and Gloria James in 2023

Despite putting up 22 points on the night, it proved a miserable evening for James as he registered just three points in the all-important fourth quarter, with the likes of Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle looking a level above the all-time great on the court.

James, who turned 40 in December, has hinted that retirement could soon be on the cards on several occasions this season.

When asked if he thinks he’ll ever play at Madison Square Garden again after the Lakers’ win over the New York Knicks in February, he hinted that it’s not a guarantee he’ll be back next season by telling ESPN: ‘Possibly. We’ll see.’

And last month the four-time NBA champion was grilled about his future again during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

‘For me, it’s my mind — I am all about the process,’ James admitted. ‘If it gets to the point where I don’t feel like showing up to the arena five hours in advance or I don’t feel like training or I don’t feel like studying the scout sheet of guys — if it gets to that point, I know like, “You know what, Bron, it’s a wrap.”‘

James is considered by many as the greatest player of all time, with fans tirelessly comparing him to fellow icon Michael Jordan over the past two decades.

James told reporters he’d consult his family on retirement after his playoff elimination

James and the Lakers were knocked out of the first round of the playoffs for the third time in the past five seasons when they lost in five games to the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday

The Ohio-born legend has swept up a host of illustrious accolades throughout his career; including when he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in February 2023.

He has also claimed four championships with the Miami Heat (twice), Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers, as well as four MVP awards.

Last year James was joined in Los Angeles by son Bronny, 20, who has mostly played for the Lakers’ G-League affiliate since being selected with the 55th overall pick in the 2024 draft.

Despite his oldest boy arriving, it remains to be seen whether he chooses to play on for at least another season, although he still has a year to run on his $104million contract.