Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said on Apr. 17 that LeBron James had an impressive 2025-26 season and will be relied upon to lead the team in their first round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
The significance of this matchup is heightened as the Lakers will be without key players Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, who Redick confirmed are out indefinitely. This leaves James with a larger responsibility as he attempts to help Los Angeles advance past Houston with a shorthanded roster.
James addressed concerns about facing a strong rebounding Rockets team, stating after practice, “My message? I don’t have a message. The best rebounding team in the last 25 years, what do you mean? You don’t need to have a message. It’s like going against a [Patrick] Mahomes team and they’re the best passing team in the last 30 years. The messag,e you don’t need, ‘Hey, we don’t need to let the receivers get off the line.’ What’s the message? The message is get your ass in there, box out and rebound. We don’t have a message, we all grown men. Do your job.”
The Rockets are considered favorites due to their advantage on offensive rebounds and extra possessions despite lacking a healthy point guard. The Lakers will require contributions from all players to secure rebounds rather than relying solely on James or their big men.
James also commented on not having to participate in this year’s Play-In Tournament for playoff qualification, noting his appreciation for getting some rest while other teams compete for postseason spots.
As Los Angeles prepares for its opening round series against Houston, observers note that James’ experience and recent performance could play an important role even as his team faces significant challenges.