Former NBA standout Lamar Odom detained in Las Vegas on suspicion of DUI after a late-night incident that has once again placed the retired basketball star in the public spotlight.
Arrest Details in Las Vegas
Lamar Odom, a two-time NBA champion and former Sixth Man of the Year, was arrested in Las Vegas following an alleged driving incident on January 17. According to Clark County, Nevada court records reviewed on January 18, the 46-year-old faces multiple misdemeanor charges. These include driving under the influence, exceeding the speed limit by more than 41 miles per hour, and failing to maintain a proper lane while driving.
Authorities reported that the incident occurred on a Las Vegas roadway, though specific details surrounding the traffic stop have not been publicly disclosed. Odom was later released on his own recognizance, meaning he did not have to post bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 17.
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and Odom’s representatives have not issued public statements regarding the case. The news of the arrest was first reported by TMZ.
A Complicated Personal History
For many fans, the arrest is troubling given Odom’s well-documented past struggles. Throughout the years, the former NBA star has been open about his battles with substance abuse and addiction. He detailed these experiences in his 2019 memoir, Darkness to Light, and later revisited them in the 2023 documentary Lamar Odom: Reborn.
Odom’s life took a dramatic turn in October 2015, when he was found unresponsive at a Nevada brothel following a drug overdose. The near-fatal incident left him fighting for his life. According to his former wife, Khloé Kardashian, Odom suffered multiple heart attacks and strokes during the medical emergency, requiring extensive rehabilitation.
Relationship With Khloé Kardashian
In recent years, Odom has also reflected publicly on his past marriage to reality television star Khloé Kardashian. The couple married in 2009, but their relationship deteriorated amid Odom’s struggles, leading Kardashian to file for divorce in 2013. The divorce was finalized in 2016, months after Odom’s overdose.
In a 2025 episode of Hulu’s The Kardashians, the former couple reunited for a candid, emotional conversation nearly a decade after their split. Kardashian described how their last in-person interaction before the sit-down had been heartbreaking, recalling that Odom was unable to speak at the time due to his condition.
Odom expressed remorse over how his addiction affected their marriage and admitted he continued using drugs even after surviving the overdose. Reflecting on that period, he acknowledged that he was not thinking clearly and was deeply lost.
Odom’s Perspective on His Overdose
Despite his admissions, Odom has maintained that he does not remember intentionally using drugs on the night of his 2015 overdose. In a 2025 interview, he claimed he had only gone for a drink and woke up days later in a hospital, confused, unable to speak or walk, and unaware of how drugs had entered his system.
His account has sparked ongoing debate, but Odom has consistently framed the experience as a turning point that forced him to confront his addiction and work toward recovery.
A Reminder of Ongoing Struggles
The recent arrest serves as a sobering reminder that recovery is often a long, uneven journey, even for those who have survived life-altering experiences. As Lamar Odom awaits his upcoming court hearing, fans and observers alike are once again reflecting on the fragile balance between fame, personal accountability, and the ongoing challenge of healing.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or substance use, help is available. In the United States, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a free, confidential treatment referral and information service at 800-662-HELP (4357), available 24/7 in English and Spanish.
