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By Cole Sullivan
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The Los Angeles Lakers entered Friday night with yet another opportunity to close out their first-round series against the Houston Rockets — and this time, they got the job done.
Led by a stellar performance from LeBron James, who finished with 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, the Lakers secured a 98–78 win in an impressive defensive effort to clinch a spot in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
After the game, Lakers guard Austin Reaves — playing in just his second game back from injury — revealed the message he shared with James following the series win.
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“I told him, ‘You’re insane,’” Reaves said. “The stuff you’re doing is not normal. Age, whatever — he’s been in the league for 23 years, and the way he controls the game is impressive. I don’t think you can put into words how special it is. I’m just glad I don’t have to play against him.”
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Both Reaves and Luka Doncic were injured in the same game on April 2. While Reaves was able to return and play in two games during the series, Dončić remains a ways from making his return — leading many to give the Lakers little chance of advancing.
They entered as one of the biggest underdogs of any first-round matchup, according to DraftKings. However, LeBron James turned back the clock and led the charge, while others stepped up in key moments, including Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard.
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L.A. will once again have its hands full against the defending champion Thunder, especially with Doncic expected to remain sidelined — at least early in the series. That will place even more of a burden on James and Reaves to elevate their play.
The Lakers were swept in the regular-season series against Oklahoma City, losing by an average margin of roughly 29 points.
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