On Friday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers played the Rockets in Houston for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series. The Lakers won (in overtime) by a score of 112-108.
LeBron James finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block while shooting 10/22 from the field and 4/9 from three-point range in 45 minutes of playing time.
The Performance: A Vintage Night from the King
It was not a perfect performance. LeBron missed shots he usually makes. He turned the ball over. He even jogged back on one defensive possession, drawing criticism from analysts.
But when the game was on the line, he took over.
In overtime, LeBron scored or assisted on nearly every Lakers basket. He attacked the rim. He drew fouls. He made the right pass. He willed his team to victory.
The box score does not fully capture his impact. The 13 rebounds were crucial. The six assists were timely. The three steals were game-changing.
LeBron is 41 years old. He is in his 23rd season. And he is still the best player on the floor.
NBA World Reacts to LeBron James’ Performance
The basketball world took notice.
Real App posted a staggering stat: “LeBron James has more 25/10/5 playoff games as a Laker than Shaq & Wilt COMBINED.”
That is not a misprint. Shaquille O’Neal and Wilt Chamberlain — two of the most dominant big men in NBA history — combined for fewer 25-10-5 playoff games in a Lakers uniform than LeBron has by himself.
Jason Timpf offered a critique: “For one of the greatest winners in NBA history, just a bizarre move from LeBron to jog back and concede a layup on such a critical possession.”
It was a rare mistake from a player who rarely makes them. But even legends have lapses.
Stefan Bondy marveled at LeBron’s athleticism: “LeBron James is 40 years old and finished alley-oop passes thrown at the 3-point line. Rockets will prolly win this game but LeBron is just incredible.”
Skip Bayless, never one to hold back, shouted: “COME ON, LEBRON, YOU’RE THE BEST PLAYER ON THE FLOOR. TAKE OVER.”
And John Fanta summed it up simply: “What an unbelievable turn of events in Houston. LeBron. James.”
Sometimes, one word is enough.
The Series: A Commanding 3-0 Lead
The Lakers now lead the series 3-0. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.
The Rockets are on the brink of elimination. Kevin Durant played, but he was not enough. Jalen Green was inconsistent. The supporting cast could not keep up.
The Lakers are missing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. It does not matter. They have LeBron James.
The Verdict: The King Is Still the King
LeBron James is not the player he was at 25. He is slower. He gets tired. He makes mistakes.
But he is still LeBron James. He is still the best player on the floor. He is still capable of taking over a game when it matters most.
The Rockets have one more chance to extend the series. Game 4 is Sunday in Houston.
If the Lakers win, they advance. If the Rockets win, they live to fight another day.
But one thing is certain: LeBron James will be ready.
He always is.
And as long as he is on the court, the Lakers have a chance.
The King is still the King. And the Kingdom is still standing.