The Los Angeles Lakers finally got the job done. After taking an unexpected 3-0 lead, they were punched in the mouth by the Houston Rockets, who forced a Game 6 at home.
However, this time around, the Lakers were taking no prisoners. Led from the front by LeBron James, Los Angeles handily took care of business.
During the game, one interaction with Houston Texans superstar Will Anderson Jr. on the sideline caught everyone’s attention. Almost immediately, the entire NBA world was shocked by the similarities between Anderson Jr. and Bronny James.
LeBron James Shares a Moment With Will Anderson Jr. During Lakers’ Win Over Rockets
After losing back-to-back games where he had subpar outings, James turned things up a notch in Game 6. Entering the game averaging 22.2 points per game through five games, he took a more aggressive mindset in the first half.
That helped the Lakers open an 18-point halftime lead, and they never looked back. Midway through the third quarter, though, as they extended the lead, James fell out of bounds after his dunk attempt was blocked by Jabari Smith Jr.
As he was being helped up by his teammates, a familiar face also extended his hand.
It was Anderson, the former third overall pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 for the Texans, who just signed a three-year, $150 million deal, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Will Anderson Jr. helping up LeBron James
(Via WAJ’s IG) pic.twitter.com/C3FIZJokTR
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) May 2, 2026
A lethal defender, Anderson is already one of the premier game-wrecking forces in the NFL. As a result, the respect was immediate from the four-time MVP as well.
NBA on Prime captured the moment, captioning, “LeBron got helped up by Houston Texans star Will Anderson Jr. after the play.”
LeBron got helped up by Houston Texans star Will Anderson Jr. after the play 😅 🤝 pic.twitter.com/wPoHefjCDQ
— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) May 2, 2026
Fans quickly took note of this interaction, with one user commenting, “Bron just dap up Bronny #2?”
Most, though, brought the jokes almost immediately, as one user wrote, “LeBron is probably wondering when Bronny got braids.”
“Lebron dapped Bronny look alike Will Anderson Jr after getting blocked😭,” another user posted.
Meanwhile, another user added, “Will gotta help his biological father out.”
Lebron dapped Bronny look alike Will Anderson Jr after getting blocked😭 pic.twitter.com/ffx1xaZ7sg
— ً ً (@MindOfBron) May 2, 2026
Lakers Lead added to the absurdity, questioning, “wtf…why is bronny in street clothes?!?”
However, it was Sideline Sarah who shared the moment, captured perfectly by Jason Fochtman of the Houston Chronicle.
Will Anderson Jr. 🤝 LeBron James
📸: @JFoch https://t.co/XkNdQYgyMN pic.twitter.com/sA7MnrhkWN
— sidelinesarah (@sidelinesarah) May 2, 2026
The comparison was rather apt, as Anderson and the former 55th overall pick do share many physical similarities.
James, too, clearly saw the comparisons. After the game, he was asked about the moment, and he had some jokes of his own.
“The moment was pretty cool. It was good to see him, that’s my fourth child. Yeah, him and Bronny are twins and don’t nobody know it. Me and Savannah been tryna keep it under wraps for a long time,” he quipped as the locker room burst into laughter.
I asked LeBron James what that moment was like between he and Will Anderson Jr. when the #Texans’ star helped him up in the third quarter.
His answer didn’t disappoint. pic.twitter.com/VPVP6x9w6f
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) May 2, 2026
James also gave Anderson some much-deserved props. “Unbelievable football player, deserving of everything that he’s got, and it was definitely dope to see him.”
However, even with the presence of some Houston fan favorites, it wasn’t enough for the Rockets. They ultimately bowed out, losing 98-78 to the Lakers, and now enter a critical offseason with a ton of question marks about their roster and their ceiling.
On the other hand, LA is moving on, albeit still without Luka Dončić, to take on the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in the second round.
