LeBron James has delivered countless iconic moments throughout his illustrious 23-year NBA career.
However, according to FS1’s Nick Wright, if the four-time MVP can carry the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers to a first-round playoff series victory over the Houston Rockets, that will rank among his top three “most impressive non-title” feats.
Nick Wright Believes LeBron James Could Add Defining Chapter to Storied Legacy in 2026 NBA Playoffs
James’ longevity has been a major storyline throughout the season, as he maintained elite production at age 41 en route to his record-extending 22nd All-Star selection.
Despite his enduring impact, James gradually settled into a tertiary role for LA, playing off co-stars Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves with increased off-ball reps. Unfortunately for James, major late-season injuries to Dončić (hamstring) and Reaves (oblique) thrust him back into a primary ball-handling role entering the playoffs.
As such, the fourth-seeded Lakers (53-29) are significant underdogs against the fifth-seeded Kevin Durant-led Rockets (52-30), who have most of their key players available.
James is no stranger to carrying outmatched teams, having done so on numerous occasions with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Speaking on Monday’s edition of “First Things First,” Wright outlined James’ three best moments apart from his four NBA championships, featuring times the star forward did all he could to try and will his team to postseason glory.
Ranking them in chronological order, Wright began with James leading the 2007 Cavaliers to the NBA Finals at just 22 years old. He then recalled the veteran’s dominant 2015 Finals performance against the Golden State Warriors at age 30 with his then-Cavaliers co-stars Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love sidelined, “averaging 36 [points], 13 [rebounds] and 9 [assists] for the series.”
The analyst rounded out his list with James’ entire 2018 playoff run during his final year in Cleveland at age 33, with all three moments noticeably occurring before this decade.
Wright envisioned a potential Round 1 triumph over Durant and Co. bumping out James’ 2015 Finals showing from his top three, citing the Lakers standout’s advanced age.
“Beating the Rockets single-handedly, if Luka and AR don’t come back for a single game, would crack that list,” Wright said. “… At age 41, 23 years in, beating a Rockets team that, yes, they’ve dealt with injury, but this is the team they have been for basically the last 50 games.
“As a +550 underdog … five of the six best players in this series are on the other team, and your contemporary — except he’s younger than you, Kevin Durant — is on the other team. … I might find that more impressive than like the 2015 Finals without Kyrie and Kevin Love, given the age.”
“Beating the Rockets single-handedly, if Luka and AR don’t come back for a single game, would crack that list…I might find that more impressive than like the 2015 Finals without Kyrie and Kevin Love, given the age.”@getnickwright explains what a R1 win would mean for LeBron: pic.twitter.com/jTgUIm1eZf
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 13, 2026
Over his final four regular-season outings sans Dončić and Reaves, James averaged 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 3-pointers per game, shooting 55.7% overall.
While the Lakers went 3-1 during that stretch, it may take an even greater scoring output for James to overcome his squad’s talent disadvantage, particularly its lack of shot creation, against a feisty Rockets team.
