Top 10 Aging NBA Stars Turning Back the Clock in 2026-27 Season

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Several NBA players are in their late 30s as they compete in the 2026-27 season. Despite their age, they remain elite competitors, staving off “Father Time.”

These players have turned back the clock despite being in the twilight of their careers and have produced strong performances early in the season.

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Here are 10 NBA players aged 35 and older who are proving age is just a number.

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#1 LeBron James, 41

LeBron James has remained one of the NBA's elite players. - Source: Imagn — LeBron James has remained one of the NBA’s elite players. – Source: Imagn

LeBron James has maintained All-NBA-level production into his 40s, and his stint with the Philadelphia 76ers has started off well. Over his first three games, he is averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.0 steals on 42.9% shooting. He has scored in double figures every game so far (14, 17 and 18 points).

The only aspect of his game that needs fine-tuning is his 3-point shooting. He is 1-for-10 (10%) this season, down from 31.7% last season. The 22-time All-Star, who will turn 42 in December, is seeking his fifth NBA championship this season.

#2 Kevin Durant, 38

Kevin Durant remains a dangerous multi-level scorer at 38. - Source: Imagn — Kevin Durant remains a dangerous multi-level scorer at 38. – Source: Imagn

Two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant is in his 20th NBA season and his second with the Houston Rockets. Through four games, he is averaging 23.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 3.5 apg on 53.7% shooting, including 47.1% from the 3-point range.

These averages are close to Durant’s production in 2025-26: 26.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 4.8 apg on 52.0% shooting (41.3% on 3-pointers). The 38-year-old had his best performance in Houston’s season opener against the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 21, scoring 30 points on 10-for-16 shooting.

Additionally, the Rockets remain undefeated through four games. They visit the 1-3 Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.

#3 Steph Curry, 38

38-year-old Steph Curry remains one of the NBA's best 3-point shooters. - Source: Imagn — 38-year-old Steph Curry remains one of the NBA’s best 3-point shooters. – Source: Imagn

Steph Curry is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s best-ever 3-point shooters. This season, despite the Golden State Warriors’ rough start, the 38-year-old has remained elite beyond the arc. Over his first three games, he is shooting 40.0% from the 3-point line, going 8-for-20.

Curry has also scored at least 23 points in every game he has played, averaging 23.7 ppg on 52.6% shooting. He is in his 18th NBA season and is seeking a fifth championship.

#4 Paul George, 36

Paul George has excelled in his first season with the Boston Celtics. - Source: Imagn — Paul George has excelled in his first season with the Boston Celtics. – Source: Imagn

This offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers traded Paul George to the Boston Celtics as part of the package for Jaylen Brown.

George has impressed, averaging 22.3 ppg and 6.0 rpg on 47.0% shooting, including 43.8% from the 3-point range, a huge improvement from last season’s 17.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg on 43.9% shooting (39.2% on 3-pointers).

Fans and pundits have also noted George’s impact on Boston’s defense. Over his first four games, he is averaging a career-high 2.3 steals.

#5 Damian Lillard, 36

Damian Lillard has impressed in his return from an Achilles injury. - Source: Imagn — Damian Lillard has impressed in his return from an Achilles injury. – Source: Imagn

After more than a year of recovery, Damian Lillard looks fully healthy in his second stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. He has anchored his team’s 3-0 start, averaging 21.7 ppg on 45.2% shooting, including 42.9% from the 3-point range. In his season debut, he finished with 25 points, three rebounds and six assists in a 124-83 win over the Phoenix Suns.

Lillard, 36, missed the entire 2025-26 season, and the Milwaukee Bucks waived him. In July 2025, he signed a three-year, $42 million contract to return to Portland, the team that drafted him with the No. 6 pick of the 2012 NBA draft.

#6 Jrue Holiday, 36

Two-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday has provided steady production off the bench for the Portland Trail Blazers. - Source: Imagn — Two-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday has provided steady production off the bench for the Portland Trail Blazers. – Source: Imagn

Jrue Holiday is coming off the bench for the first time in his career in his 18th NBA season. With Lillard’s return and Ja Morant’s addition, Holiday has become Portland’s sixth man. Through three games, he is averaging 14.0 ppg, 4.0 apg and 1.3 spg.

The 36-year-old had his best performance this season on Tuesday, scoring 22 points off the bench in a 136-129 win over the LA Lakers. He shot 8-for-12, including 2-for-6 from the 3-point line.

#7 Brook Lopez, 38

Brook Lopez's 19th NBA season has started efficiently. - Source: Imagn — Brook Lopez’s 19th NBA season has started efficiently. – Source: Imagn

One-time NBA champion Brook Lopez has scored at least 15 points in each of the LA Clippers’ first three games. He is averaging 18.0 ppg and 5.3 rpg on 64.5% shooting, including 54.5% from the 3-point range. He has come off the bench in each game, behind young center Isaiah Jackson.

Lopez, 38, had his best outing on Friday, scoring 22 points on 8-for-9 shooting (2-for-2 on 3-pointers) in 20 minutes off the bench.

#8 DeMar DeRozan, 37

DeMar DeRozan has accepted a bench role in his first season with the Denver Nuggets. - Source: Imagn — DeMar DeRozan has accepted a bench role in his first season with the Denver Nuggets. – Source: Imagn

This offseason, veteran guard DeMar DeRozan signed a one-year, $3.9 million contract with the Denver Nuggets to serve as the team’s primary bench scorer and playmaker. He is averaging 15.3 points over his first three games, down slightly from last season (18.4 ppg).

The 37-year-old DeRozan, widely regarded for his elite mid-range scoring, remains efficient, shooting 47.1%. In Denver’s most recent game, a 134-114 loss to the Warriors on Monday, he finished with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting.

#9 DeAndre Jordan, 38

Former NBA All-Star DeAndre Jordan has impressed in his first start of the season. - Source: Imagn — Former NBA All-Star DeAndre Jordan has impressed in his first start of the season. – Source: Imagn

In July, one-time NBA All-Star DeAndre Jordan re-signed with the New Orleans Pelicans on a two-year, $7.9 million contract. While he is not expected to get much playing time, he started the last two games. He got his first start on Saturday and played 20 minutes, finishing with nine points and nine rebounds.

Jordan, 38, even had a highlight play after successfully catching a lob from Trey Murphy early in the game. Pelicans reporter Jim Eichenhofer said Jordan will start again in Wednesday’s rematch with Denver and could remain in the rotation for the next few games.

#10 Al Horford, 40

Al Horford remains a solid contributor in his 20th NBA season. - Source: Imagn — Al Horford remains a solid contributor in his 20th NBA season. – Source: Imagn

Al Horford is playing in his 20th NBA season and his second with the Golden State Warriors. Just like in 2025-26, the one-time champion and five-time All-Star has a primarily bench role.

In the Warriors’ 134-114 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday, Horford played 19 minutes off the bench and recorded 11 points and three rebounds on 4-for-5 shooting, including 3-for-3 from the 3-point range.

Over the season, the 40-year-old’s minutes will be managed to keep him fresh for the playoffs, as his shooting, veteran leadership and locker room presence remain valuable to the Warriors’ offense.

Edited by Arvind Sriram

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