Lamar Odom Shocking Claim About 2015 Overdose

Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom is revisiting the darkest moment of his career with a new and startling perspective, suggesting his near-fatal 2015 overdose may not have been what it once seemed.

In a recent interview with Lakers On SI’s Ryan Ward ahead of his upcoming Netflix documentary, Untold: The Life and Death of Lamar Odom, the two-time NBA champion Odom raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident that left him hospitalized for days and fighting for his life.

“I considered it as a hit,” Odom said.

Odom was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel in October 2015 after what was initially reported as a drug overdose. At the time, the former Sixth Man of the Year had cocaine in his system, though in the new interview, he suggested he did not knowingly take the substance.

“I didn’t take cocaine that night,” Odom said. “And you tested for it. … That’s the only thing that I could come up with when I try to add it all together.”

Odom stopped short of alleging a coordinated attempt on his life, but said he believes someone may have taken advantage of his known struggles with addiction.

“I don’t think it was a godfather-type of hit,” he said. “But I think someone knew I had a weakness when it came to drugs and women, and thought that’d probably be the best time to take me out.”

---

Near-Fatal Ordeal Still Resonates

The incident remains one of the most dramatic health scares involving a former NBA player. Odom later revealed he suffered 12 strokes and six heart attacks during the ordeal, a sequence of medical events that doctors told him he was fortunate to survive.

“I’m a walking miracle,” Odom said. “All my doctors say that.”

The experience left lasting physical and emotional effects. Odom described waking up unable to walk or speak, underscoring the severity of the damage caused during the episode.

Beyond the physical toll, the former Lakers forward said the trauma of the experience has lingered, including fears tied to the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“There’s still some trauma that comes along with that,” Odom said. “Because … are they going to come back?”

---

Recovery, Reflection and Lakers Legacy

Now 46, Odom said he is using his platform to raise awareness about addiction and recovery, describing substance abuse as a disease that affects not only the individual but also their family.

“I’m just trying to let people know there are better days,” he said. “Being present is part of living your best life.”

Odom spent seven seasons with the Lakers from 2004 to 2011, playing a key role in the franchise’s back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010 alongside Kobe Bryant. Known for his versatility and playmaking ability, he was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2011.

His time in Los Angeles remains the defining stretch of his career, one he said continues to shape how he views both basketball and life beyond the game.

Odom credited his experiences — both successes and struggles — with giving him a broader perspective.

“When you’re a Laker champion, you’re always remembered,” he said.

---

Netflix Documentary Brings Story Back Into Spotlight

Odom’s new documentary is set to premiere on March 31 on Netflix, revisiting his rise, fall and recovery in greater detail.

The renewed attention has prompted Odom to revisit the events of 2015 with fresh clarity, even as some questions remain unresolved.

More than a decade later, Odom said he is focused less on finding definitive answers and more on sharing his experience.

“I’m here for a reason,” he said. “I’m walking with God.”

Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo