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The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 112-108 in overtime on Friday at Toyota Center to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series. LeBron James finished with 29 points and delivered a late tying three-pointer in regulation.
James summed up the mentality behind the comeback. “Yeah, the game is never over till zeros on the clock.”
He described the late sequence as the Lakers executed under pressure. “Marcus was able to get that steal. They fouled him for the three. He made all three,” James said. The possession helped extend the game into overtime after a dramatic final stretch.
James said the group stayed locked in during overtime despite fatigue and heavy minutes. “We came that far, so trying to see if I can make plays,” he said. “My presence on the floor is key for our ball club.”
He also credited Marcus Smart’s impact in the extra period as the Lakers controlled key possessions. “Marcus was great in overtime. Hit the three away from their bench… Everybody kind of chipped in,” James said, pointing to multiple contributors stepping up.
James addressed how injuries have forced adjustments throughout the roster. “Everybody who’s getting those minutes off the bench has to do a little bit more because of how much we’re missing,” he said. The Lakers leaned on rotation players in high-pressure moments.
On his workload, James acknowledged the demands of extended minutes in a tight playoff setting. “If that meant that I didn’t get a break… so be it,” he said, emphasizing his willingness to stay on the floor late.
He also stressed urgency in every possession during postseason basketball. “We don’t have the luxury of thinking about maybe it’s another game or game six,” James said. “We have to do everything it takes in that particular moment.”
James closed by reflecting on playing alongside his son Bronny James in a playoff environment. “His attention to detail, his defensive mindset… Every moment… has been with Bronny,” he said.
