Austin Reaves reveals the message he had for LeBron James following the Lakers’ first-round series win over the Rockets.

The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2026 NBA Playoffs in a compromised position. Not only were they down the league’s scoring champion Luka Doncic to a hamstring strain, but the team also lacked its second-leading scorer Austin Reaves who suffered an oblique injury against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Apr.

The Los Angeles Lakers are moving onto the Western Conference semifinals in part because 41-year-old LeBron James, in his 23rd NBA season, posted 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in his team's 98-78 road win over the Houston Rockets to close out their first round matchup on Friday.

The Lakers finally overcame the Rockets and claimed the series on Friday. But the win wasn’t easy, as players faced several obstacles. However, to overcome one such challenge, JJ Redick issued a task to his player,

Not a single one of their four regular-season meetings went the Lakers’ way, and the majority were not close. The Thunder beat every version of Los Angeles they faced, at full strength and short-handed alike.

The Knicks are 19-1 to win the NBA championship after their lopsided series-clinching win over Atlanta, while the Timberwolves are at 180-1.

Before the NBA playoffs, it seemed like one thing was for certain: LeBron James was playing his last few games with the Los Angeles Lakers. Former ownership and James seemed to be at an impasse. James seemed to be getting the cold shoulder as the franchise started looking towards the future with Luka Doncic and possibly Austin Reaves.

The Thunder can't take their second-round opponent lightly. Oklahoma City is set to start their second round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night at Paycom Center. OKC is coming into this series with considerable rest after sweeping Phoenix in the first round,