LeBron James reflected on his performance in Los Angeles’ 124-116 win over Houston, saying, “It’s pretty cool to be able to still play at this level. To help the team win a ball game and a tight ball game is pretty cool.”
He highlighted the Lakers’ defensive execution in the fourth quarter: “We were able to lock down defensively in the fourth. We entered the fourth down three and only gave up 24 points. We cleaned the glass, didn’t give up too many offensive rebounds, and we scored without turning the ball over.”
James acknowledged his physical state early in the game: “Before the game, I didn’t feel that great. I was yawning and tired and telling myself, ‘Come on, let’s figure it out. Let’s get through it.’ But during the game, I felt pretty good and was able to make a few plays to help our team win.”
On finding energy during the contest, he explained, “If I’m in uniform, I’ve got to try to see what I can give and that’s where it stems from.”
James also addressed the crowd atmosphere, noting, “It felt like a road game. We made some big plays and had some fans in the stands, but we had our road mentality tonight.”
Commenting on Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s remarks about his longevity, James said, “It’s great to be able to go out there. The coaching staff gave us a great game plan, and it’s up to us to execute it. It starts with AR, it starts with Luka, and we all just try to do what we need to help it come to fruition and into a win.”
James’ performance helped Los Angeles extend their winning streak to seven games, shooting 13 of 14 from the field and adding five rebounds to reach 12,002 career boards, becoming the 23rd player in NBA history to reach that milestone.
Luka Doncic led the scoring with 40 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists, while the Lakers shot 61% from the field and 47% from three-point range, showcasing their efficiency in key moments.
Los Angeles will visit the Miami Heat on Thursday, and Houston returns home to face the Atlanta Hawks on Friday as both teams aim to rebound from Wednesday’s contest.
