LeBron James delivered a stellar performance last night, scoring 30 points on an impressive 13-14 shooting as the Los Angeles Lakers secured a 124-116 victory over the Houston Rockets. James has embraced a more off-ball role this season, and it's clearly paying dividends. His ability to focus on the finer aspects of the game is adding a new dimension to his play, even as it adds some extra mileage to his well-traveled body.
Late in the game, James took a hard foul from Jabari Smith Jr., which seemed to tweak his elbow. Despite the discomfort, he chose to stay on the court after the final buzzer, motivated by his respect for veteran sideline reporter Lisa Salters, who was covering the game for ESPN.
"I love you, you're awesome, so I had to come back and do this interview for you."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 19, 2026
Lebron was going back to the locker room, but came back to do an interview with Lisa Salters 🙌
(via @espn)
pic.twitter.com/hTx8VwSisV
“Imma throw some ice on it as soon as I get to the locker room. That's why I kinda ran off.
But, you know, I love you, you're awesome, so I had to come back and do this interview for you. We got a back-to-back.
I'm 41. I need to prepare but I take care of myself and hopefully be ready for tomorrow night,” James shared with Salters.
Salters, a familiar face on the sidelines for over two decades, joined the NBA on ABC coverage in 2006 and has been with ESPN since 2000. Over the years, she's developed a strong rapport with James, who clearly holds her in high regard.
As for the Lakers, they’re gearing up for a back-to-back, facing off against the Miami Heat tomorrow night. James’ commitment to preparation and recovery will be crucial as he looks to lead his team to another victory.