LeBron James entrusted to see Lakers through amid Rockets surge

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The time has come for LeBron James to take over in the series that had no business getting extended.

The Los Angeles Lakers have fallen in two straight games as the Houston Rockets won't just lose. After preventing elimination in Games 4 and 5, the Rockets, who won without star forward Kevin Durant, are threatening to level the series on Friday.

If the Rockets can do so, they will become only the fifth team in NBA playoffs history to force Game 7 after being down 3-0 in the series.

More: Lakers' LeBron James goes after Alperen Sengun for 'soft' foul complaint in Game 5 vs. Rockets

Chris Broussard backs LeBron James to take down Rockets

Ahead of Game 6 at Toyota Center, Houston, NBA analyst Chris Broussard shared his thoughts on how the series is unfolding between the Lakers and the Rockets. The Lakers jumped to a 3-0 lead, and many thought it was already over for Houston with Kevin Durant ruled out. But the Rockets showed immense fight to force Game 5 and then Game 6.

Broussard asked Lakers fans not to worry, as even in his wildest imagination, he can't think LeBron James losing four straight games in the playoffs.

"There is no way, as I've been saying, I see LeBron James losing four straight games to this inexperienced, low basketball IQ having band of blockheads, all right?" Broussard said. No, there is no way it's going to happen. The Lakers, maybe it'll go seven. I'm not predicting that. I still just do not see it happening. You don't want to go into a Game 7."

.@Chris_Broussard says it’s not time to worry about the Lakers:

“I give some credit to the Rockets, but no. There’s no way, as I’ve been saying, I see LeBron James losing 4 straight games…There is NO WAY it is going to happen!” pic.twitter.com/ZphHl22VUk

— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) April 30, 2026

Broussard highlighted the Lakers' problems and even suggested that LeBron James didn't have a notable impact in Game 5.

"But the problem is Luke Kennard, come back to earth. Marcus Morris, come back to earth. LeBron looked worn out yesterday," Broussard said. "I know the stat line looked good. No, he had no lift on his jump shot. He was 0 for 6. He didn't have a huge impact on the game, I don't think. So I think they will. And I get it, the shorter rest. But I'm just saying I don't see LeBron losing four straight games."

This is the first time in LeBron's career that the four-time NBA champion has lost two straight games after being up 3-0 in a playoff series. Both the Lakers and the Rockets will be without Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant, respectively, so it will be the same bunch of guys battling it out in the middle.