‘The mission... stayed the same,’ LeBron James ahead of the playoff round two push

LeBron James packing up the Houston Rockets in Game 6 and wrestling with “Father Time” was just incredible. The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Rockets 98–78 at the Toyota Center on Friday. James showed his experience with 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.

The Lakers’ playoff run began on shaky ground - injuries to Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves had locked up the team’s chemistry. Many doubted whether James’ aging legs could carry such a heavy load.

“The mission has always stayed the same, no matter what my role has been throughout my career, and that’s to go out there and try to dominate,” James said in the post-game interview to ESPN.

MORE: LeBron James is well aware of how good the OKC Thunder will be against the LA Lakers

Kareem 1985 vs. LeBron 2024

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

LeBron James, at 41, with his “kicking Father Time’s ahh” attitude, recalls Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1985. Kareem was 38, and after the “Memorial Day Massacre” in Game 1, many thought he was finished. But Abdul-Jabbar responded with surgical precision, winning Finals MVP and silencing Father Time, just as James did against the Rockets.

The Rockets had youth, but James had an endless reservoir of experience.

“We know the hardest game is the closeout game,” James added. “So I was glad guys stepped up, and we were able to make it happen.”

In Games 1–3, the Lakers executed a great game plan, credit to head coach JJ Redick, who emphasized ball protection against the Rockets. James instilled confidence in role players like Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart, as he told ESPN postgame:

“Every game I thought Luke Kennard, the way he played early in the series… obviously Marcus was steady throughout the series.”

But in Games 4-5, the Rockets raised their aggression, and the Lakers made some “Know Your Personnel” mistakes. On the positive side, Reaves rejoined the team in Game 5. The final strike hadn’t come yet. In Game 6, James kept constant pressure on the rim. By setting the tone in the post, he created space for role players like Rui Hachimura (21 points, six rebounds) to hit sensational shots.

“It’s important for me to go out and kind of set the tone, and I did that from the beginning. I felt like everybody just kind of took my lead,” James said.

The Lakers closed out the series 4–2 and now advance to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round, who swept the Phoenix Suns 4–0.

Austin Reaves contributed 15 points and three rebounds, while Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart each added seven points.

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