On Friday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers played the Rockets in Houston for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
The Lakers won (in overtime) by a score of 112-108.
LeBron James finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block while shooting 10/22 from the field and 4/9 from three-point range in 45 minutes of playing time.
NBA World Reacts To LeBron James’ Performance
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
Here’s what people were saying:
Real App: “LeBron James has more 25/10/5 playoff games as a Laker than Shaq & Wilt COMBINED.”
Jason Timpf: “For one of the greatest winners in NBA history, just a bizarre move from LeBron to jog back and concede a layup on such a critical possession.”
Brandon Walker: “I’m tired of pretending LeBron James isn’t the best basketball player in the history of the sport. I think I will be living my truth from here on out.”
Skip Bayless: “Lakers gut out a big win without Luka despite 8 LeBron turnovers. Lakers up 3-0! BRING ON OKC!”
John Fanta: “What an unbelievable turn of events in Houston. LeBron. James.”
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
@SwipaCam: “LEBRON JAMES IS THE GOAT!!!”
Rachel A DeMita: “LeBron still diving for the ball in OT of the playoffs in his 23rd season is just insane”
Yahoo Sports: “LeBron’s clutch three forces OT and the Lakers handle business to be ONE win away from sweeping Houston 😱”
Kevin O’Connor: “Don’t take LeBron James for granted”
Dan Woike: “LeBron James, at 41, sat for 1 minute and 53 seconds in the 2nd half and overtime. Remarkable game.”
At 41, James is still one of the best forwards in the NBA.
He finished the regular season with averages of 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 51.5% from the field and 31.7% from three-point range in 60 games.
James And The Lakers
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Crypto.com Arena on April 10, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
The Lakers finished the 2025-26 regular season as the fourth seed with a 53-29 record.
With their win on Friday, they improved to 26-16 in 42 games on the road away from Crypto.com Arena.
Game 4 will be back in Houston on Sunday.
Whoever wins the series will face off against either the Oklahoma City Thunder or Phoenix Suns in the second round.
NBA World Reacts To LeBron James’ Performance In Lakers-Rockets Game