LeBron James recorded 26 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, nearly achieving a triple-double, as the shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. The victory helps keep the Lakers in the hunt for the Western Conference's No. 3 seed ahead of the playoffs next weekend. James said the team needs 'everything' from its 41-year-old star.
The Lakers were missing Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Marcus Smart and Jaxson Hayes for the game against the Warriors. Despite the absences, James stepped up decisively in a must-win matchup. It marked his second near triple-double in a week, following 30 points, 15 assists and nine rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday. Such performances have defined much of James's career with undermanned rosters. James addressed his expanded role after the game. 'Everything,' he said. 'Everything, so nothing changes for me. Just back to the old ways.' Dončić's Grade 2 hamstring strain makes his return for the playoffs unlikely, with reports of him seeking treatment in Spain. Reaves faces a similar timeline. With playoffs starting next weekend, James must lead in scoring, playmaking and defense. The Lakers thrived in March with a reduced workload for James, who deferred to teammates like Dončić and Reaves. Tracking data showed fewer ball touches and less half-court usage then. Now, with stars sidelined, James has reverted to carrying the load, including leading the NBA in fast-break points this season.
