LeBron James has once again proven that age is just a number.
In the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, he led the Los Angeles Lakers to an impressive sixth straight victory against the Houston Rockets, even without Luka Doncic in the lineup.
This 41-year-old basketball legend averaged 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.3 assists throughout the series. After one of the games, he mentioned to an ESPN reporter that his goal in the NBA has remained unchanged: “The mission has always been the same throughout my career, and that’s to go out there and try to dominate.”
Next, he and his team will face the No. 1 seed and defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Interestingly, there’s no home court advantage this round. The next three games will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Game 3
Saturday, May 9th
5:30 PM Pacific Time
Game 4
Monday, May 11th
7:30 PM Pacific Time
Game 6
Saturday, May 16th
To be decided
For those interested, last-minute tickets can be picked up for any of these exciting matchups in LA.
As of now, the starting price for a single-game ticket at Crypto.com Arena is about $250, which includes fees, according to SeatGeek.
In Oklahoma City, prices begin at $146, also inclusive of fees.
It’s pricey, but perhaps the investment is worth it to witness how James and his teammates perform at home.
During the regular season, the Thunder had quite the record against the Lakers, winning all four games by an average of 29.3 points—quite a margin!
It’s important to note that, as per NBA.com, “LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reeves played in the same game only once and were minus-16 points in 17.9 minutes.” So, there’s definitely a lot to consider.
A source disclosed that Doncic is anticipated to miss the first two games of the Western Conference semifinal series in Oklahoma.
Will he be back for Games 3 and 4? That’s uncertain, but witnessing the action live would certainly clear things up.
For more details on the Lakers versus Thunder playoff series in 2026, see below.
Lakers playoff home game ticket prices
A full calendar with scheduled Lakers home games and their lowest ticket prices is available.
Thunder playoff home game ticket prices
Check out the home game dates for the Thunder and the cheapest tickets available.
How to watch Lakers and Thunder on TV
Fans eager to catch LeBron and his team can watch every playoff game on various channels like ABC, ESPN, TNT, Prime Video, NBC, and NBA TV.
Make sure to verify your local listings.
If cable isn’t an option, consider looking into DIRECTV.
2026 NBA Playoff Schedule
If you’re curious about how the postseason has unfolded, refer to the official NBA playoff bracket.
Massive concert in 2026
Looking for entertainment beyond the basketball playoffs?
Here are some artists worth checking out live in the upcoming months:
• J Cole
• Gorillaz
• Wu-Tang Clan
• BTS
• Hurry
Interested in seeing who else will be performing? A list of all events at Crypto.com Arena is available to help you find the perfect show.
