LeBron Jamesand theLos Angeles Lakersbounced back in a big way to avoid playing Game 7 of their Western Conference first-round series against theHouston Rockets.
James had 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds asthe Lakers beat the Rockets 98-78on Friday, May 1. It was his league-record 157th playoff game with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists.
The Lakers played with a sense of urgency and energy that was missing from their home loss on Wednesday.
“My mindset was to play with aggression,” James said during a postgame interview on Prime. “(The Rockets) changed the aggression level in Games 4 and 5. … Most of our guys haven't been in a close-out game situation. … So I had to come out and set the tone for my team and just try to find a way to close this thing out.”
The Lakers will be asked to produce the same level of energy if they want to compete with the defending champions, theOklahoma City Thunder, in the second round.
The NBA playoffs bring out more than high‑stakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the league’s biggest stage.See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.
Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
Coolest kicks of the NBA playoffs as stars show their sneaker style
The NBA playoffsbring out more than high‑stakes basketball, as stars showcase their sneaker style on the league’s biggest stage.See the coolest kicks worn during the 2026 NBA Playoffs, where footwear becomes part of the spotlight.Above, The shoes of Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks are seen during the first half of Game One of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on April 18, 2026, in New York City.
The Lakers must continue to get strong contributions from players such as Rui Hachimura, who helped neutralize the Rockets and kept them from having any chance of battling back into the game with several big shots. Hachimura finished with 21 points and six rebounds. He shot 5-of-7 from the 3-point line.
The Lakers will need all the rest they can get before the series with the Thunder begins on Tuesday, May 5, in Oklahoma City. The three days off won’t be enough time to get guard Luka Doncic back, though.
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Doncic has not played since suffering a hamstring injury on April 2 in a blowout loss to the Thunder during the regular season.
Without the guard, Los Angeles will be tasked with overcoming the Thunder's defense and finding a way to generate enough offense to match the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Austin Reaves will be asked to shoulder some of that offensive responsibility. He made his return to the Lakers on Wednesday for Game 5 after missing time due to a left oblique muscle strain. He returned to the starting lineup in Game 6.
Reaves has 37 points, eight assists and seven rebounds combined in his first two games back. He will need to round back into form at the 3-point line, where he's made just 2-of-12 this week.
The Thunder will enter the series well-rested, having swept the Phoenix Suns. OKC will enter the second round having had a full week off.
The Thunder could also see the return of Jalen Williams in the series. He has not played since April 22 due to a hamstring strain.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What's next for Lakers after win over Rockets? Thunder await