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\n\t\t\tAs the Lakers celebrated their first-round win over Houston Friday night, LeBron James took time to savor the moment, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. At age 41, he was the most dominant player in the series, capping it off with 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the closeout victory. With the next step in his career still uncertain, James reflected on the significance of his latest playoff triumph.
\n\u201cI think me personally, the accepting and trying to be OK with the small victories comes with where I am in my career,\u201d he said. \u201cUnderstanding, s\u2014, who knows how many more playoff series I\u2019m going to be a part of? If I play one more or two more or three more seasons, that doesn\u2019t guarantee me to be in the postseason. So just trying to appreciate the moments, whatever it is, and however long I\u2019m playing. It\u2019s pretty cool to have the opportunity to lead a team, at 41 years old, into the playoffs and for us to be able to win it.\u201d
\nMcMenamin notes that James became the oldest player in league history to be the top scorer in a playoff series, totaling 139 points in the six games. He was asked to carry the offensive load after Luka Doncic (strained left hamstring) and Austin Reaves (left oblique strain) both suffered serious injuries in an April 2 game. James had become more of a complementary piece in L.A.\u2019s offense until then, but he flipped the switch back into the lead role when it became necessary.
\n\u201cI mean, to be able to experience something [new], it was just totally different for me,\u201d James said. \u201cIn March, it was a totally different role for me. It was super uncomfortable, but comfortable. I had to get into that. But it was also winning. That\u2019s all I care about. But I knew at the same time I could give more. But maybe giving more wasn\u2019t what was a fit for our team. And I accepted that and I was OK with that. Not from a team aspect, I was OK with that. I was able to put my ego to the side for the betterment of the team, understanding that I could do it.\u201d
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The series validated the decision to bring in Deandre Ayton after he reached a buyout with Portland last summer, McMenamin adds. Ayton aired complaints in late February about his limited role in the offense, but he seemed to accept how he was being used as the playoffs neared. The Lakers isolated him in one-on-one coverage Friday night to limit Alperen Sengun\u2018s passing, and he held the Houston center to one assist. \u201cI took the challenge to my chin,\u201d Ayton said. \u201cJust putting the team on my back and them trusting me. \u2026 That\u2019s what really got everything going, to be honest.\u201d
\nDoncic is \u201cnot close\u201d to returning for the second-round series against Oklahoma City, which starts on Tuesday, ESPN\u2019s Brian Windhorst said in a SportsCenter appearance (YouTube link). Windhorst notes that there\u2019s a progression involved in returning from a hamstring injury, and Doncic hasn\u2019t been able to play at all over the past month. \u201cI have no idea how Luka\u2019s going to be 14 days from now,\u201d Windhorst added. \u201cMost likely, you\u2019re not going to see Luka Doncic at the front end of this series, maybe at least for another week to 10 days on the minimum.\u201d
\nAfter Friday\u2019s victory, Reaves talked about how he was able to return in time for the final two games of the series, per Khobi Price of The California Post (Twitter video link). \u201cA lot of treatment. A lot of treatment,\u201d Reaves said. \u201cI did not go with Luka to Europe. I will say that.\u201d
\nThe Athletic previews the Lakers\u2019 next series and assesses their chances of upsetting the defending champions.<\/p>\n