LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers saw their playoff momentum get halted on Sunday as they were outworked by the Kevin Durant-less Houston Rockets in Game 4, falling 115-96.
While the Lakers still comfortably lead the first-round Western Conference playoff series 3-1, doubt has already crept in about the undermanned squad’s chances of finishing the job. However, FS1’s Nick Wright doesn’t see a world in which James lets that happen, even at age 41.
Nick Wright Guarantees LeBron James Will Lead Lakers to Round 2 by Any Means Necessary
James turned in one of the worst playoff performances of his esteemed 23-year career on Sunday, finishing with 10 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, and 8 turnovers, while shooting just 2-for-9 overall (22.2%).
The 22-time All-Star, who masterfully orchestrated LA’s offense over the first three games of the series by controlling the pace of play, setting up his teammates, and scoring timely baskets, looked out of sorts. Meanwhile, the Lakers shot only 5-for-22 from 3-point range (22.7%) as they failed to match the Rockets’ do-or-die desperation.
James has been forced to navigate the entire series without his co-stars Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), though the latter is nearing his return. Meanwhile, Houston has had its top offensive weapon, Durant, available for just one outing due to knee and ankle injuries.
Regardless, as long as James is active, Wright foresees the four-time MVP putting the Rockets away by any means necessary to avoid the dubious distinction of spearheading the first NBA team to squander a 3-0 lead in a postseason series. As of Monday, teams that have gone up 3-0 boast a perfect 160-0 series record.
“My answer as to why the Rockets can’t come back, and why the Lakers can lose Game 5 and be totally fine, is very simple. LeBron James is not going to be the first and only player ever to lead a team to blow a 3-0 lead,” Wright said on Monday’s edition of “First Things First” after predicting Lakers skepticism to reach a “fever pitch” ahead of Wednesday’s Game 5 clash.
“It’s not going to happen. I have no deeper analysis needed, other than what is not going to happen is LeBron is going to have it be on the table of possibilities that his final playoff moments in this league is the first guy ever to be on the bad end of a 3-0 comeback.”
“LeBron James is not going to be the first and only player ever to lead a team to blow a 3-0 lead.”@getnickwright says there’s no amount of money he wouldn’t bet on the Lakers winning the series: pic.twitter.com/pbr3g4JEWI
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 27, 2026
Wright, who has long been a fervent James supporter, even went as far as to claim he would be willing to wager a hefty sum of money on his prediction coming true.
“Whether it’s Wednesday, Friday, or if it has to happen Sunday, one of those games, LeBron James’ team is leaving victorious,” the analyst concluded. “There is no amount of money I wouldn’t bet on that happening.”
Through four 2026 postseason appearances, James is averaging 21.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.8 3-pointers per game, shooting 43.9%.
If LA’s outside shooting woes persist in Game 5, it may take another herculean effort for the four-time NBA champion to carry his undermanned squad into Round 2.
