Published on: December 11, 2025, 01:10h.
Updated on: December 11, 2025, 01:10h.
- Lebron James and Tiger Woods have the same birthday on December 31
- Ontario’s FanDuel novelty market shows 75% of wagers on James retiring before next season
- Woods expresses concerns over his slow recovery from back surgery
Lebron James and Tiger Woods share notable similarities; both are legends in their sports, with James boasting four NBA championships, 21 All-Star selections, and being a four-time NBA MVP, while Woods has won 15 major golf titles, trailing only Jack Nicklaus, alongside 82 PGA Tour victories.
Recently, both athletes have been pivotal in discussions surrounding age and performance in sports. Their shared birthday on December 31 marks significant milestones: Woods is approaching 50 and is currently recuperating from multiple surgeries, including a spinal disc replacement, while James enters his 41st year and continues his 23rd NBA season with the Lakers.
Although Woods remains an active member of the PGA, he recently provided an update on his recovery during a press conference.
Effects of Aging in Sports
In the most recent NBA Cup quarterfinals, the Lakers (17-7) faced the San Antonio Spurs and suffered a 132-119 defeat, revealing that they are not yet at the championship-caliber level typical of teams like the Oklahoma Thunder (24-1) and the Denver Nuggets (17-6).
In an unusual twist, James played as a secondary player alongside superstar Luka Doncic, finishing the match with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists.
While James has not confirmed if this will be his final season, his performance does not reflect a player eager to transition into golf with his son. He did, however, acknowledge that the conclusion of his career is approaching “much sooner than later.”
FanDuel’s Retirement Market on James
In Ontario, FanDuel has recognized the potential of a novelty market. The current odds for “Will Lebron James announce his retirement by the 2026-27 season?” are set at -280 for “Yes” and +210 for “No”.
This season, James averages 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game with a shooting accuracy of 46.8%.
A spokesperson from FanDuel stated that 75% of bets are on James retiring before the upcoming season.
Back Surgery Update
Former NBA guard Danny Green, who shared two seasons alongside James on both the Lakers and the Cavaliers, believes that James may retire at the end of the current season.
Green expressed this insight after the Lakers secured a win against the 76ers, where James scored 29 points in a 112-108 victory.
“He’s showing signs of nearing the end,” Green remarked. “Just by observing his physicality. He had an outstanding performance tonight, but if it requires him to take rest days to look fresh, they might limit his play on back-to-backs, which is understandable. I just can’t envision him reaching Year 24. We should cherish his time left.”
Earlier this season, James missed the initial 14 games due to a sciatica issue.
“You could certainly tell his body wasn’t keen on another grueling summer of training and a preseason,” Green added. “I truly doubt we will see Season 24.”
Thunder’s Dominance in the NBA
The Oklahoma Thunder are leading the league, with odds set at +100 by FanDuel to win the championship, followed by the Nuggets at +750, Rockets at +1100, Knicks at +1300, Cavaliers at +1600, and Lakers at +2000. DraftKings reflects similar odds: Thunder at +120, Nuggets at +650, Rockets at +1000, Lakers at +1300, and Knicks at +1400.
Woods has indicated that his recovery is progressing slower than he had anticipated.
“The surgery was necessary, and it’s all about the time and diligence needed for rehabilitation,” Woods stated. “The recovery isn’t proceeding as swiftly as I would have hoped. Post-disc replacement, there’s limited mobility until it stabilizes. I’ve recently received clearance to intensify my gym workouts and focus on strengthening and rotational exercises that I’ve been unable to perform.”