LeBron James still has an incredible skill in Year 23 that no one can take away

The Los Angeles Lakers needed someone to lead them in the fourth quarter of a tight ball game on Sunday night. LeBron James put on the crown and comfortably hung buckets on the heads of the Philadelphia 76ers.

James delivered a crunch time takeover for the Lakers as a part of a signature performance overall. LeBron posted 29 points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block in the nail-biting 112-108 victory over the 76ers.

His teammates were thankful. Luka Doncic, flying back in for the matchup in Philadelphia after the birth of his second child, had plenty of praise for an individual outing that looked straight out of LeBron's best days in the NBA.

"That was amazing," Doncic told reporters after the matchup was over (h/t Khobi Price). "That was vintage Bron. We're happy he was there to save us. He had an amazing game, obviously amazing fourth quarter. ... He just decided the game.”

LeBron James' clutch gene refuses to fade with time

There was a point in his career that critics tried to question whether or not James had the clutch gene. Approaching the end of his time in the league, that talking point looks so incredible silly in hindsight.

If there was one Lakers teammate who had no doubt about that fact, it was Deandre Ayton. The Lakers center said it with confidence after the game was over in Philadelphia.

"Clutch. Clutch genes. Felt like a movie," Ayton told reporters. "It was like a movie. ... It was a GOAT moment."

The cinematic experience described by the Lakers big man also served as an example of how James has grown his game with age. Instead of blowing by his defenders with his unrivaled athleticism, like he used to in his prime, LeBron leaned on his midrange game and improved 3-point shooting.

In his last six seasons, James has turned to his shooting ability a lot more to remain effective as his body ages on him. LeBron has shot 36.5 percent from beyond the arc since the start of the 2020-21 season as a result.

Continuing to improve his catch-and-shoot 3-point ability was something James highlighted as important for him to fit better around Doncic and Austin Reaves. A slow start to the season, as LeBron plays catch-up following his injury, has not shown that just yet.

One would imagine James will fully find his shot before the campaign comes to an end. In the meantime, the Lakers know their aging star will have no issue looking for the clutch gene that never came close to leaving him.