The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with a 98-78 win over the Houston Rockets in Game 6, and head coach JJ Redick used the moment to deliver a strong endorsement of LeBron Jamesâ career.
The Lakers closed out the first-round series 4-2 despite missing Luka Doncic for the entire matchup and having Austin Reaves available for only the final two games. James led the way again in Game 6 with 28 points, helping Los Angeles secure its first playoff series win since 2023.
Now, the Lakers move on to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending champions and No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The matchup adds immediate pressure, but Redickâs postgame comments centered on Jamesâ continued impact in his 23rd NBA season.
JJ Redick praises LeBron James leadership and career
Redick made his stance clear when discussing Jamesâ performance and overall legacy after the win.
âTo me, he’s had the greatest career of any NBA player,â Redick said. âYou can argue all you want, and I really don’t care to postulate on who’s the greatest of all time, but he’s one of, if not the greatest of all time.â
He continued by highlighting Jamesâ ability to deliver in key moments, even at 41.
âAnd for him to do it again and answer the bell again, it’s just, it’s really, it’s baffling in some ways,â Redick said. âThe leadership aspect that I talked about, he just has this ability to set the tone for the entire group and he did that again tonight and our guys responded and I’m really happy for him.â
Jamesâ Game 6 performance reflected that tone-setting role. He controlled the tempo early, scoring 14 points in the second quarter while the Rockets managed just 13 as a team during that stretch. The Lakers built a double-digit lead and never trailed after the opening minutes.
The veteran forward finished with 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, anchoring a balanced effort that also included 21 points from Rui Hachimura and 15 from Reaves.
Los Angeles Lakers advance to face Oklahoma City Thunder
GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James
The victory capped a series in which the Lakers had to adjust quickly due to injuries. Doncic did not play, while Reaves returned late after missing time with an oblique strain.
Despite those absences, Los Angeles maintained control of the series, jumping out to a 3-0 lead before dropping two games. They responded in Game 6 with one of their most complete performances.
The Rockets, led by Amen Thompson and Alperen Åengün, struggled to match the Lakersâ defensive intensity. Houston shot just 35% from the field and never recovered after falling behind early.
The Lakers now prepare for a significantly tougher test against Oklahoma City. The Thunder swept their first-round opponent and won all four regular-season meetings against Los Angeles.
The upcoming series will feature Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is in contention for a second straight MVP award, leading a deep and balanced roster.
For Los Angeles, the focus remains on health and continuity. Doncicâs status for the start of the series is uncertain, while Reavesâ return provides additional playmaking support for James.
Redick emphasized that Jamesâ leadership will remain central as the challenge increases.
The Lakersâ ability to adapt quickly helped them overcome injuries in the first round. Against Oklahoma City, they will need that same flexibility, along with continued production from James, to extend their postseason run.
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