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Austin Reaves praises LeBron James' performance after the Lakers advanced to the second round
The Los Angeles Lakers secured their first playoff series win since 2023 with a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets in Game 6, advancing to the Western Conference semifinals. After the win, guard Austin Reaves delivered a candid and emotional message about LeBron James, highlighting the veteran’s continued dominance in his 23rd NBA season.
The Lakers closed out the series 4-2 despite being short-handed for much of the matchup. Luka Doncic missed the entire series, while Reaves returned only for Games 5 and 6 after an oblique injury. James led the way again in the closeout game with 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, controlling the tempo and setting the tone early.
Los Angeles now turns its focus to a second-round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, making James’ performance and leadership even more significant as the postseason intensifies.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
Reaves did not hold back when describing what it is like to share the court with James after the series-clinching win.
“Yeah, a lot. Everything, honestly,” Reaves said when asked if anything about James still surprises him. “I told him after the game… I just went over to him and was like, you’re insane. Like, the stuff that you’re doing is not normal.”
He continued by pointing to James’ longevity and ability to dictate games at this stage of his career.
Austin on Lebron:
“I just went over to him and was like you’re insane. The stuff that you’re doing is…not normal. Age, whatever, he’s been in the league for 23 years, the way he demands a game it’s impressive. I don’t think that you can say into words how special he was…I’m
“Like, especially age, whatever. He’s been in the league for 23 years. The way he demands a game, the way he can control a game, it’s impressive,” Reaves said. “I mean, I don’t think that you can say into words how special he was, not just tonight, but this series this year.”
Reaves also added a personal note about the experience of playing alongside James.
“Yeah, I’m just happy that I don’t have to play against him.”
James’ performance in Game 6 reflected that control. He scored 14 points in the second quarter alone, outscoring the Rockets as a team during that stretch and helping the Lakers build a decisive lead they never surrendered.
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
While James led the way, Reaves’ return provided a timely boost for Los Angeles. After a slow first half in Game 6, he found his rhythm in the third quarter and finished with 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
The Lakers relied on contributions across the roster throughout the series. Rui Hachimura added 21 points in the closeout game, while role players stepped up in earlier matchups to compensate for injuries.
Still, the team’s progress was anchored by James’ consistency. Even at 41, he dictated pace, created scoring opportunities, and stabilized the offense during critical stretches.
Houston, led by Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun, struggled to match that level of execution. The Rockets shot just 35% from the field in Game 6 and were unable to recover after falling behind early.
Now, the Lakers face a more demanding test against Oklahoma City. The Thunder swept their first-round opponent and dominated the regular-season series against Los Angeles.
For the Lakers, health will be a key factor. Doncic remains sidelined, and Reaves is still working his way back to full form after missing extended time. His improved play in the second half of Game 6 is viewed as an encouraging sign heading into the next round.
As Los Angeles prepares for Game 1, the focus remains on maintaining the defensive intensity and ball control that helped them close out Houston. Reaves’ message about James underscores the team’s reliance on their veteran leader.
With the stakes rising in the postseason, the Lakers will again look to James to set the tone just as he did throughout the first-round series.
Debayan Biswas is a sports writer covering the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He focuses on breaking news, trades, and player stories. His work has been featured by Athlon Sports and Pro Football and Sports Network, with republication across platforms including Yahoo Sports and Yardbarker. More about Debayan Biswas
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