LeBron James has officially lifted the depleted Los Angeles Lakers into Round 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, eliminating the Houston Rockets in six games on Friday night.
The 41-year-old took charge at the Toyota Center and powered Los Angeles to a decisive 98-78 win in Game 6. Logging heavy minutes and controlling the tempo from the opening tip to the final buzzer, James picked apart head coach Ime Udoka’s defensive scheme with ease to close out the series.
LeBron James Earns Major Praise by Lifting Lakers Past Rockets Into Round 2
The Lakers entered the matchup sweating bullets after dropping Games 4 and 5 to allow Houston to cut the series deficit to 3-2. But a Rockets team missing Kevin Durant could do little to prevent their championship dreams from collapsing in real time.
James anchored the offense to remove any possibility of a Game 7, finishing the night with 28 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds over 37 minutes to help secure the 20-point win.
The NBA world wasted no time giving their take on another “timeless” clinic from the league’s all-time leading scorer.
“This is your nightly reminder that calling LeBron James anything other than the greatest player in basketball history is beyond disrespectful. He’s the greatest ever. The debate was over a long time ago,” ESPN’s Sam Block declared.
LEBRON FROM THREE TIMELESS pic.twitter.com/1jemyQkRG7
— ً ً (@MindOfBron) May 2, 2026
“LEBRON FROM THREE TIMELESS,” one influencer posted.
“41 year old LeBron James just had 28 pts, 7 Rebs and 8 Assists to close out the Rockets. EVEN THE HATERS can’t hate on that,” former NFL star Robert Griffin III posted moments after the game ended.
41 year old LeBron James just had 28 pts, 7 Rebs and 8 Assists to close out the Rockets. EVEN THE HATERS can’t hate on that. pic.twitter.com/chz5DqxdwJ
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) May 2, 2026
“Love LeBron being LeBron,” actor Ben Stiller chimed in.
“NO REAVES NO LUKA NO PROBLEM. LEBRON IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME,” a LeBron fan page declared.
NO REAVES NO LUKA NO PROBLEM
LEBRON IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME pic.twitter.com/AtETdke7xA
— LeBron Factory (@LeBronFactory) May 2, 2026
Polymarket Hoops was quick to highlight James’ playoff record:
“44 wins, 13 losses, .772 winning percentage while playing against 80% of the LEAGUE 🤯”
LeBron James’ playoff series record against every NBA team:
Pacers: 5-0
Celtics: 5-2
Bulls: 4-0
Pistons: 4-0
Raptors: 4-0
Hawks: 3-0
Wizards: 3-0
Rockets: 2-0
Nets: 2-0Grizzlies: 1-0
Heat: 1-0
Bucks: 1-0
Knicks: 1-0
Thunder: 1-0
76ers: 1-0
Trail Blazers: 1-0
Hornets: 1-0… pic.twitter.com/VwCbTbLJvw— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) May 2, 2026
“41-year-old LeBron having a better playoffs than prime Jokic. There’s levels to this,” one user mentioned.
The Rockets were heavily favored entering Round 1 since Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) were both sidelined with significant injuries. Lakers head coach JJ Redick even candidly talked about how every Western Conference playoff team was hoping to face Los Angeles in Round 1.
However, James did what James did best. The 41-year-old took on the primary playmaking responsibilities and carried the Los Angeles offense throughout the series.
Averaging 23.2 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.2 rebounds during Round 1, James turned back the clock, flipping the belief that a depleted Lakers team and an aging James would be easy pickings for the Rockets.
Just another example of LeBron making Stephen A eat his words 😭
“Let me be VERY clear… the Lakers are going home very early – at the MOST (Rockets in) 5 and I anticipate they might get swept.”
The Lakers just sent the Rockets home in 6 💀 https://t.co/WkUdduMTci pic.twitter.com/uBf32CCjjh
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) May 2, 2026
Houston fought back admirably after falling into a 3-0 hole last week. Winning two straight games gave them hope and planted some doubts within the Los Angeles fanbase.
But with Durant sidelined, the Rockets simply lacked the offensive firepower needed to complete a historic comeback against a Lakers team buoyed by age-defying performances from James.
DON’T MISS: Will Luka Dončić Play in Round 2 vs. the Thunder? Latest on the Lakers Star’s Injury and Return Timeline
Los Angeles will now shift its focus to a second-round matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
Game 1 against Oklahoma City will tip off on Tuesday evening. Entering the second round, the Lakers will certainly be underdogs once again against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder.
However, with James turning back the clock, Reaves back in the lineup, and hope of Dončić returning at some point during the series, the Lakers are hoping they can shock the world for a second-straight series.
