Lakers’ LeBron James savors playoff victory; Luka Doncic ‘not close’

The Lakers are moving on. LeBron James made sure to take it in.

After closing out Houston, James reflected on what it means at this stage of his career, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

“Who knows how many more playoff series I’m going to be a part of?” James said. “Just trying to appreciate the moments.”

At 41, he didn’t just participate. He led. James finished with 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the clincher and became the oldest player in league history to lead a playoff series in scoring, totaling 139 points.

That role wasn’t always the plan. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined by injuries, James shifted back into a primary role after spending much of the season playing more off the ball.

“It was super uncomfortable, but comfortable,” he said. “I was able to put my ego to the side.”

There’s more out of Los Angeles …

The addition of Deandre Ayton paid off in the series. Tasked with defending Alperen Sengun, Ayton helped limit Houston’s playmaking from the middle, holding Sengun to one assist in the closeout game.

“I took the challenge,” Ayton said.

Looking ahead, the degree of difficulty jumps. The Lakers face the defending champion and top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the next round and will enter as heavy underdogs.

That challenge could be even steeper early on. Brian Windhorst said Doncic is “not close” to returning from a hamstring injury, meaning the Lakers may again lean heavily on James to carry the load.