LeBron Leads Lakers Past Rockets, Prepares for Thunder Showdown in Playoffs
LeBron James delivered an impressive performance with 28 points, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets. This win secured a 4-2 series triumph in the Western Conference playoffs, setting up a semi-final clash against the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers had previously established a commanding 3-0 series lead before concluding the best-of-seven matchup decisively in Houston. The Rockets' top scorer, Amen Thompson, managed 18 points but could not overcome the Lakers' dominance. In reflecting on the game, James emphasized the importance of leadership, stating, "A lot of our guys, quite frankly, have not been in this position... it was important for me to go out and set the tone." He also noted, "The mission has always stayed the same... to dominate." Lakers coach JJ Redick praised James, highlighting his remarkable career as the first player to participate in 23 consecutive NBA seasons and as the league's all-time leading scorer. Redick remarked, "To me, he's had the greatest career of any NBA player... it's baffling in some ways." The Lakers now face a formidable challenge against the Thunder, who topped the Western Conference and swept the Phoenix Suns in their first-round series. The first game of this highly anticipated matchup is set for Tuesday in Oklahoma.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-05-02