Stretching his entire 6-foot-9 frame, LeBron James punched the basketball out of the bursting Reed Sheppard’s hands.
It was crunch-time, a three-point game that saw the Los Angeles Lakers trailing. The game was just over 22 seconds from a potential winner being decided. Something had to give.
James, recalibrating after swiping the ball from the Rockets, struggled to corral a long touch pass from Marcus Smart. Fumbling with the ball, James was able to bump the basketball over to teammate Luke Kennard, who then gave the ball right back to James.
Who proceeded to hit nothing but net on a game-tying 3-pointer.
The 117th of his heavily decorated career.
The Moment: A Clutch Shot for the Ages
The shot was pure. It was confident. It was vintage LeBron.
With the game on the line, the 41-year-old did not hesitate. He rose up, released, and watched the ball swish through the net.
It was a reminder that even at his age, even after 23 seasons, even with all the miles on his body, LeBron James remains one of the most clutch players in NBA history.
LeBron James Ticks Yet Another Milestone in His Legendary Career
During the Lakers-Rockets broadcast on Amazon Prime, announcer Stan Van Gundy, a former coach for 11 NBA seasons, said while there may be a debate for who the greatest player of all time is, there is no denying who has had the greatest career ever.
LeBron James.
Later that night, the 41-year-old James backed Van Gundy’s point by moving up to No. 4 in 3-pointers made in the playoffs in Lakers franchise history, supplanting Byron Scott, a central figure of the “Showtime” dynasty of the 1980s.
The Lakers official X account confirmed the news after the game.
Including the regular season, James trails only Kobe Bryant for the most 3-pointers in Lakers franchise history.
In NBA history, James is sixth in 3-pointers made. Pretty jarring to think about given James’ nature as a powerful scorer over his 23 years playing professional basketball. The outside shot has never been the four-time MVP’s forte, but his sustained greatness continues to transcend numerous records.
The Sustained Excellence: A Third Option No More
The 3-pointer James hit with just over 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter of last night’s win in Houston only added to his list of stunning postseason hits.
Acting as the Lakers’ third option as recently as three weeks ago, James assumed the role of closer in lifting his team to a commanding 3-0 series lead in the first round.
Through three games so far in this first round series against the Rockets, the 41-year-old James is averaging 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game.
Something about those numbers evoke memories of 2016, 2018, maybe even 2020.
The Turnaround: From Written Off to One Win Away
Twenty-three days ago, the Lakers were written off. Their season, for all intents and purposes, felt over.
Stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves incurred a pair of Grade 2 strains on the same day. Without their two leading scorers, the Lakers went on to lose the next three games in humiliating fashion.
Just a few short weeks later, those same two stars are watching Mr. Third Option, the timeless wonder himself, step into a heavily pressurized role and deliver excellence.
The Lakers are now one win away from sweeping the Rockets and advancing to the second round.
The Verdict: Greatness Personified
LeBron James has been doing this for two decades. He has been the best player on the floor in countless playoff games. He has carried teams that had no business winning. He has silenced doubters, defied Father Time, and delivered championships.
This series is just another chapter in an already legendary career.
The Lakers are up 3-0. They are one win away from the second round. And LeBron James is the reason why.
He did not have Doncic. He did not have Reaves. He had himself, a cast of role players, and an unshakable belief that he could still be the closer.
He was right.
Game 4 is Sunday. The Lakers can close out the series. And LeBron James will be ready.
The King is still the King. And the Kingdom is still standing.