The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 112-108 in overtime thanks to LeBron James. Most will point to his 29-point double-double that set another record, but it was so much more. LA has no choice but to bring the soon-to-be free agent back after he put the purple and gold up 3-0 over Houston without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
James had a steal and a 3-pointer to tie the game with 25 seconds left in regulation. It looked all but certain that LA would lose late in the fourth quarter, but LeBron wasn’t going to let that happen. He answered every Rockets counterpunch and made sure the Lakers got the crucial victory.
LEBRON JAMES TIES THE GAME AT 101 🤯
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2026
13.1 SECONDS TO GO ON PRIME. pic.twitter.com/V5LqcXlt7I
NBA teams are 159-0 in the playoff series after gaining a 3-0 edge. The Lakers have all but wrapped this up, despite being without Luka and AR. It is seemingly impossible to win in the playoffs without your two best players. LeBron isn’t just winning. He’s up 3-0 on a Rockets team everyone picked to eliminate the Lakers.
LeBron James has to be back with the Lakers after this playoff masterclass
The Lakers did not extend the 41-year-old last summer. He decided to accept his player option and play out the final year of his contract. There has been plenty of speculation about his future in recent months. This is the first time James hasn’t been offered an extension in his legendary career. He is the number three option when the Lakers are healthy, but his leap to number one when necessary should keep him in LA.
LeBron gives the Lakers an advantage that virtually no other NBA team has. Winning with Luka Doncic at the helm features the same formula as King James. Put shooting and defense around either player, and it is a wrap. It is why LeBron has been able to step up so seamlessly with Luka and AR out.
The 41-year-old had a 19-point double-double in Game 1 and came back with 28 points, eight rebounds, and seven dimes in Game 2. LeBron is playing massive minutes but still finding new gears. He had 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block on Friday night. LBJ made the clutch plays to ensure the Lakers went up 3-0 in Houston.
Lakers fans can’t believe this. When Doncic and Reaves were injured in the same game late in the season, it felt like all hope was lost. Los Angeles couldn’t make a playoff run without their two best players. That seemed impossible, but it wasn’t. They had LeBron and a talented group of role players. That is all King James ever needs.
The Los Angeles Lakers have to keep LeBron James this summer after this improbable playoff performance. They are up 3-0 on the Rockets and on the verge of advancing to the second round without their two best players. LeBron made that possible, and he deserves to finish his career in LA for that alone. Get the new deal done ASAP.
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