It is almost game time for the Los Angeles Lakers, who are in Oklahoma City to play the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
The Lakers battled through a ton to reach this stage of the postseason.
Picked by many to be defeated in the opening round, the Lakers marched to triumph in six games against the Houston Rockets. Even without Luka Doncic and mostly without Austin Reaves, the LeBron James-captained Lakers pulled off a confidence-boosting playoff series win.
It marked the first series victory for the Lakers since the 2022-23 season.
In the first round, the age-defying James bent logic once again. He averaged numbers one would expect from a 31-year-old, not a 41-year-old.
Now James and the Lakers are met with a much, much larger task. Without Doncic for at least another game, L.A. enters round two very much fighting an uphill battle.
For the Lakers, tonight will just be the start of numerous tests over the next week or so.
Los Angeles Lakers Reveal Remarkable LeBron James Feat
L.A. is coming off a momentum-boosting win.
After going up 3-0 in the series against the Rockets, the Lakers dropped the next two games, dwindling their lead to just one game. But they responded ferociously in Game 6 behind the play of the old man himself.
GettyLeBron James handles the ball against Jabari Smith Jr. during Game 5 as the Rockets cut the Lakers’ series lead.
In 37 more minutes, James logged 28 points, seven rebounds and eight assists, a statline that resembles his shiny career averages of roughly 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
James made history by merely stepping on the court for Game 1 of the first round.
The Lakers announced in an X post that James is the only player in NBA history to play in the playoffs in his 23rd season.
The list of James’ greatest hits continues to grow.
Does He Have More in the Tank Against the Champs?
Because the Lakers will certainly need it.
James has shown that he is clearly still more than capable of being the best player in a playoff series.
Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the soon-to-be two-time NBA MVP and reigning Finals MVP, acknowledged how effective James still is despite his age.
“… You guys don’t need me to sit here and tell you how great of a player LeBron James is,” Gilgeous-Alexander said Monday. “It should be a fun matchup to really test yourself against one of the greatest. Obviously, he’s a little out of his prime, but he’s still very very capable.”
With no Doncic, the headlining matchup in the second round series between the Lakers and Thunder is James and Gilgeous-Alexander. A luminary against the NBA’s new titan.
Gilgeous-Alexander has been the epitome of sublime over the last few seasons. This year, he became the first player ever to average 30 points per game while shooting 55% from the floor.
James and the Lakers know any hope of slowing down the Thunder will start with containing the reigning MVP.
In the first round, James averaged roughly 23 points and over eight assists per game.
L.A. will need all of that and then some to put up a fight in the semifinals.
Lakers Announce Major LeBron James Milestone Before Game 1 vs OKC