Lakers' JJ Redick Makes Strong Statement on LeBron James After Game 6 Win
A lot of people thought the Los Angeles Lakers were on the brink of being on the wrong side of history, as the Houston Rockets appeared ready to force a Game 7.
However, LeBron James had other plans, deciding he would power this Lakers team to a Game 6 victory, 98-78, with another stellar performance. The King knocked down 10-of-25 field goals en route to 28 points, and also eight assists and seven rebounds.
Many believed that the 41-year-old was almost on his way out and had nothing left in the tank, but it wasn’t the case, as now he’s helped a team struggling with injuries advance past a young, hungry Rockets squad.
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His head coach, JJ Redick, had nothing but praise for LeBron following his latest series win, even joking that everyone in the locker room made goat noises like “bahhh” for him. Redick also got serious, commenting on what this Game 6 and series victory means for LeBron’s legacy.
“It speaks to his greatness. To me, he’s had the greatest career of any NBA player. He’s one of, if not the greatest of all time,” the Lakers coach told reporters.
He clearly impacted Friday night’s game, with a plus-26 point impact during his time on the court in what became a Lakers blowout win in Houston. He continues to show strong leadership with Luka Doncic sidelined and unable to contribute.
The debate over LeBron James being the greatest of all time has continued to circulate after every accomplishment or failure.
At 41, he’s now helped another team with fewer stars available in advance, similar to his earlier season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he guided a team with very few, if any, All-Stars to the NBA Finals.
They were swept in the Finals by a star-studded San Antonio Spurs squad, but LeBron was less experienced then. A similar situation faces this older LeBron in the Lakers’ second-round matchup, where no one expects them to handle the No. 1-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
OKC dominated the Lakers this past season, defeating them in all four meetings, including several blowouts last month, one of which King James didn’t participate in. He was a participant in the 43-point loss, though.
Still, it would not be surprising to see LeBron defy expectations again in the second round, at least by helping this Lakers squad win a game, rather than being swept. However, he’s already proven enough in his career to be considered one of the greats with Michael Jordan and other basketball legends.
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This story was originally published May 2, 2026 at 3:56 PM.