LeBron James extends career after Lakers' victory over Rockets
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 3:51 PM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
In the 2026 Western Conference playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Houston Rockets 4-2 in the first round. Rich Paul, LeBron James' agent, stated that this series influenced James' decision to continue playing, suggesting that a different outcome might have pushed him toward retirement. Following the playoffs, James announced he would sign with the Philadelphia 76ers for the upcoming season. The Lakers faced a subsequent sweep in the second round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but James' performance against the Rockets was a highlight.
- •Lakers won their first-round series against Rockets 4-2.
- •James averaged 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in that series.
- •James announced he will sign with the Philadelphia 76ers for 2026-27.
- •The Lakers were swept by the Thunder in the second round.
- •Rich Paul credited the Lakers' victory as pivotal for James' career decision.
- 3:51 PMYahoo Sports — Rich Paul: Lakers’ playoff upset of Rockets led LeBron James to extend career
"“That series, in my opinion, convinced him to keep playing,” longtime agent Rich Paul says of LeBron James. “I think that gave us another ride.”
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 10:45 PMHow to watch DUNKMAN: Shaq slam dunk contest show, TV channel, live stream
- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 10:40 PMWill the Sacramento Kings Ever Become a Free Agent Destination?
- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 10:39 PMDraymond Green on LeBron James not signing with Cavs, Heat: I don't think LeBron was ever able to get over the history
- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 10:37 PMJaylen Brown: 'I've been a Top-5 MVP candidate, should have been Top 1, but the media votes for that'
- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 10:33 PMIt's a big, big, big difference. I don't know if y'all …
- NBA•Jul 28, 2026, 10:33 PMI wasn't blindsided because I know a few people that …
