No Luka Doncic, no Austin Reaves, no problem for LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers so far this postseason.
With their MVP on the shelf because of a hamstring injury and their second-highest scorer also out with an oblique ailment, there was a lot of uncertainty around the Lakers heading into their first-round matchup against the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets.
The reason for concern was real, though three games in, they’ve quickly put them to rest, as James and the depth of the roster have stepped up in a massive way. That was once again the case in Friday night’s thrilling 112–108 overtime win to take a 3–0 stranglehold on their series with the Rockets.
Down three with less than 30 seconds to play, LeBron pressed youngster Reed Sheppard, stripped him of the ball, then played give-and-go with Luke Kennard before knocking down the game-tying three with just 13.1 seconds on the clock.
The 41-year-old James finished the night with 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three steals in 45 minutes of action. He’s now averaging 25.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, and 8.7 APG in these playoffs.
It was another heavy workload for the veteran, and he even admitted after the game that it takes a toll on the body, but it’s all worth it after such a big win.
“Right now, **** no. **** no, I don’t feel good. But that’s how you’re supposed to feel after a playoff game,”
James and the Lakers will have Saturday off before looking to close things out and sweep the Rockets in Game 4 on Sunday night in Houston.
A win would not only allow Doncic and Reaves more time to rest and recover without rushing back, but also give James time to recharge in preparation for a likely second-round matchup with the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder — one they’ll need everything firing on all cylinders for if they want a chance to win.
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