The Los Angeles Lakers were counted out almost immediately after the injuries to their superstar. With both Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić presumed out for the entire first round, at the very least, it seemed obvious that the team would be drawing dead in the postseason.
An injury to Kevin Durant gave them an opening in Game 1, and they capitalized, led by LeBron James. With the two-time NBA champion back for the second game on Tuesday night, it was an uphill battle for Los Angeles once again.
However, a tussle between The King and Jae’Sean Tate may have been the extra dose of motivation they needed.
How Jae’Sean Tate Brought Out the Best in LeBron James in Game 2
A competitive start with Durant back in the lineup saw the Lakers take a 7-point lead going into the second quarter, with James providing early offense. However, early in the second quarter, he got into it with Tate near the low post.
As Steve Jones pointed out, “So LeBron James and Jae’Sean Tate do a 2K chain wrestling sequence, LeBron gets a pindown, and Sengun switches and LeBron goes right to a shot from 3. Got it.”
LEBRON JAMES IS FIRED UP —
Bron is locked in. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/zM8Ln4n0CG
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 22, 2026
Unfortunately, his vitriol had begun even beforehand. On back-to-back possessions, James let consecutive 3-pointers rip from essentially the same spot. Making both of them, he immediately extended the lead to 13.
As Italo Santano reiterated, “Jae’Sean Tate was smacking LeBron right before this, Bron knocks down a 3 over Sengun and talks his s**t.”
It immediately led to widespread joy all across the Lakers fan base.
LMAOOOO THANK YOU TATE YOU WOKE HIM UP🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/Ok9j7vc600
— 🏆LakersGuru🏆 (@GuruLakers) April 22, 2026
As Sleeper Lakers exclaimed, “This came after Tate was grabbing LeBron’s arm don’t poke the bear,” the euphoria was already beginning for the LA faithful.
For others, though, it felt like a careless mistake from Tate, given the four-time MVP’s history with getting fired up from any slight, perceived or otherwise.
Rob Perez could only lament, “Oh, what have you done.”
Meanwhile, Indiana sports beat writer Tony East was in awe of the explosion from James. “Old man LeBron battling off of Tate and ripping that three. Unreal.”
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A back-and-forth battle followed from that point forward, with the Rockets trying to bring it within striking distance. However, the savvy and basketball intelligence from the veteran Lakers was able to keep them at bay.
Ultimately, they won the second game as well, going up 2-0 in commanding fashion with an emphatic 101-94 win.
