Breakdown
Performance
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May 2, 2026
Leads Los Angeles to win
James finished with 28 points (10-25 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds and eight assists across 37 minutes in Friday's 98-78 win over the Rockets in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Analysis
James shot 0-for-9 from behind the three-point line in the Lakers' previous two games heading into this contest. However, the 22-time All-Star turned it around Friday by sinking two of his five attempts from deep. He also had only three turnovers after combining for 16 in Games 3 and 4. With Los Angeles earning the win, the team will advance to meet Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Semifinals. In two meetings with the Thunder during the regular season, James struggled, averaging 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.0 steals while shooting 12.5 percent from downtown across 31.0 minutes per contest in those appearances.
April 30, 2026
Strikes for game-high 25 in loss
James logged 25 points (9-20 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 7-10 FT), three rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 39 minutes during Wednesday's 99-93 loss to Houston in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Analysis
It was another strong showing from the 41-year-old as he led all scorers on the night, but a returning Austin Reaves was the only other Laker to score 20 or more. James is averaging 22.2 points, 8.4 assists, 7.2 boards, 1.6 steals and 1.4 threes on the series, and he'll look to drag Los Angeles across the finish line and into the second round in Game 6 on Friday.
April 27, 2026
Tough night in Game 4 loss
James accumulated 10 points (2-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), four rebounds and nine assists over 33 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 loss to the Rockets in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Analysis
Only three Los Angeles players even scored in double digits in the loss, and James's poor showing was compounded by eight turnovers -- the second straight game with that many TOs. The 41-year-old may be buckling under the strain of having to carry a shorthanded Lakers offense that's still missing Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), but James is averaging 21.5 points, 8.8 assists, 8.3 boards, 1.8 threes and 1.5 steals in 38.8 minutes to begin the postseason. He'll look to help the Lakers punch their ticket to the second round with a win on home court in Game 5 on Wednesday.
