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A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes playoff clash between LeBron James’ Lakers and the favored Rockets.Los Angeles Today
The Los Angeles Lakers are underdogs against the Houston Rockets in their first-round NBA playoff matchup, but one Lakers beat writer believes LeBron James could be the savior. If James leads the Lakers to an upset over the Rockets, it could solidify his return to the team for another season.
Why it matters
The Lakers-Rockets series is seen as a mismatch on paper, with the Rockets favored due to their superior regular season point differential. However, the playoffs are unpredictable, and LeBron James’ ability to elevate his game could tip the scales in the Lakers’ favor, potentially saving their season and keeping LeBron in Los Angeles.
The details
Experts like NBA.com’s John Schuhmann predict the Rockets will win the series in 5 games, noting Houston has been the much better team statistically this season. But Lakers beat writer Svyatoslav Rovenchuk believes LeBron James could lead a vintage playoff performance that pulls off the upset and convinces the Lakers to bring him back for another season.
The Lakers-Rockets playoff series begins in mid-April 2026.In the Lakers’ final regular season game, LeBron James had 18 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in just 17 minutes, showing he is peaking at the right time.
The players
A 38-year-old superstar forward for the Los Angeles Lakers who is looking to lead his team to an upset playoff victory over the Houston Rockets.
Svyatoslav Rovenchuk
A Lakers beat writer who believes LeBron James could be the key to the Lakers pulling off an upset over the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
John Schuhmann
An NBA.com writer who predicts the Rockets will defeat the Lakers in 5 games, noting Houston has been the statistically superior team this season.
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What they’re saying
“Realistically, the situation between the Lakers and James should already be trending toward a reunion. The other possible suitors apart from Los Angeles are not overwhelmingly strong.”
— Svyatoslav Rovenchuk, Lakers Beat Writer
“If the Lakers survive thanks to LeBron, it will be one of those moments that you tell your grandkids about. It will also serve as a clear identifier of the instance when all doubt was erased about him and Los Angeles deciding to run it back one more time.”
— Svyatoslav Rovenchuk, Lakers Beat Writer
“Statistically, Houston has been the much better team, outscoring opponents by 5.4 points per 100 possessions, the league’s sixth best mark and more than three times better than the Lakers’ differential, plus-1.5 per 100.”
— John Schuhmann, NBA.com Writer
What’s next
If the Lakers are able to upset the Rockets, it could solidify LeBron James’ return to the team for another season.
The takeaway
While the Rockets are favored based on regular season statistics, the playoffs are unpredictable, and LeBron James’ ability to elevate his game could lead the Lakers to a surprise series win over Houston. A deep playoff run by the Lakers could convince James to return to the team for another season.