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Lakers vs Rockets: Even hours after the win, Lakers fans are buzzing over LeBron James and his performance. They're saying the same thing.

Six points down, 30 seconds left and the arena felt like it was already exhaling. The Los Angeles Lakers had spent the second half of their games against the Houston Rockets giving it away piece by piece, watching a comfortable lead turn into something shaky and then something worse. A 3-0 stranglehold on the series was right there, and then, suddenly, it wasn’t.

But, then the classic players decided they weren’t done. LeBron James, still built for moments like this, and Marcus Smart dragged the whole thing back from the edge. These players were just pure professionals in the moment and took just a couple of possessions that felt heavier than the rest.

By the time it tipped into overtime, the mood had flipped. The Lakers took it 112–108, and the building found its voice again. Afterward, LeBron shrugged it off in that way he does, stating, “The game’s never over until zeroes on the clock.”

Even hours after the win, Lakers fans are buzzing over James and his performance. They’re all saying the same thing: James is the GOAT.

Los Angeles Lakers Fans Are Still Buzzing About LeBron James’ Performance Against Houston Rockets

Lakers fans took to social media on Saturday, April 25, to celebrate the victory. Breakfast tastes better after seeing your favorite team win a playoff game, after all.

“Lakers win this series. No questions LeBron’s the GOAT. Without two big pieces and they’ve cooked the rockets lol,” one follower stated on X.

“One thing I’ve learned this season is not to turn the TV off until the last buzzer,” another added. That’s a good lesson to learn.

“This generation of NBA fans must feel lucky to have & still experiencing the sheer unmatched legendary abilities & greatness of King James,” another stated. “He’s simply an alien. This is just unreal. At 41? Nah, this is beyond normal. He’s the #GOAT #kingJames. The greatest of all times.”

“He’s doing well at his age. The goat,” one more added. “Greatest ever,” another said.

“LeBron James delivered a crucial steal and game-tying three-pointer with 13.1 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter of a 2026 playoff matchup, directly contributing to the team’s victory. This clutch play highlighted his, and the team’s, effort in securing a critical win in the series,” one more added.

Plenty of messages on X are also just calling him the GOAT or sending out goat emojis, so that’s basically his not-so-new nickname as the Lakers head into Game 4.

LeBron James Played 45 Minutes Against the Houston Rockets in Game 3

Against the Rockets, James played 45 minutes and finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and eight turnovers, according to NBA research. So, he was on the court a lot for the Los Angeles Lakers, and that factored into their success.

“Listen, we came that far, so trying to see if I can make plays,” 41-year-old James said after the game, speaking to reporters, according to ESPN. “Obviously my presence on the floor is key for our ballclub.”

Now it tilts toward Game 4, and you can feel the brooms getting dusted off. The Lakers have the Rockets stressed, not broken, but close. One more clean quarter, maybe two, and this thing could be over early.