LeBron James' Record: 45th Playoff Game with 40+ Points
In the game against Indiana (Lakers lost 118:121), the 41-year-old LeBron posted 42 points and 11 rebounds, but his team trails the series 1-3.
Main Event
The fourth game of the first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers, held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, was supposed to be a lifeline for the home team. Trailing 1-2 in the series after a home loss in Game 2, the Lakers desperately needed a win to even the score and bring intrigue back to the matchup. However, the Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, arrived in California with a clear plan — to steal at least one road game and put the opponent on their knees.
From the opening minutes, it was clear that the Lakers' entire offensive firepower would rest on LeBron James' shoulders. Anthony Davis, plagued by a back injury throughout the season, looked stiff and couldn't compete on equal footing under the basket against Myles Turner. Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell, who were supposed to be the second fiddle to James, again flopped in the first half, combining for just 8 points by halftime. James had to take the game upon himself, and he did so in a way he hadn't even at age 25.
James methodically dismantled Indiana's defense from under the rim, scoring over two or three defenders. His classic spin moves and putbacks off his own misses sent the crowd into a frenzy. By the end of the third quarter, the scoreboard read 89:85 in favor of the Lakers, and it seemed LeBron was pulling off the impossible — single-handedly outplaying one of the Eastern Conference favorites.
But the fourth quarter turned into a nightmare for the hosts. Indiana switched to aggressive man-to-man defense, constantly double-teaming James as soon as he got the ball. Haliburton, previously contained by Reaves, heated up and started hitting threes with incredible accuracy. With five minutes left, he drained his fifth three-pointer of the game, tying the score at 102-102. In the final minute, with the Lakers leading 116-115, James committed a turnover under pressure from Siakam, and Haliburton finished a fast-break layup. Reaves had a chance to save the game, but his three-pointer at the buzzer rattled the rim.
The result — 121:118 in favor of Indiana, and a 1-3 series deficit that leaves the Lakers with virtually no chance of advancing. Only one team in NBA history has come back from a 1-3 deficit in a first-round playoff series (12 such comebacks have occurred in league history), and this Lakers squad lacks both the freshness and roster depth to repeat that feat.
Details and Statistics
LeBron James finished the game with 42 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, shooting 16 of 28 from the field (57%) and 8 of 11 from the free-throw line. This game marked his 45th career playoff game with 40 or more points, an absolute NBA record. For comparison, second on that list is Michael Jordan with 38 such games, and third is Kobe Bryant with 13. LeBron broke his own record set back in 2018, when he scored 40+ points in seven consecutive playoff games, carrying Cleveland to the Finals.
Key game statistics:
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L. James | Lakers | 42 | 11 | 8 | 16/28 FG (57%) |
| A. Davis | Lakers | 14 | 9 | — | Played through back pain |
| A. Reaves | Lakers | 11 | — | — | Missed corner three at buzzer |
| T. Haliburton | Pacers | 28 | 5 | 11 | 5 three-pointers |
| P. Siakam | Pacers | 24 | 8 | — | Key steal in the clutch |
| M. Turner | Pacers | 15 | 13 | — | 4 blocks |
The Lakers' loss in Game 4 was their third straight in the series. After winning Game 1 on the road (112:105), the Californians lost three consecutive games, two of them at home. This is the fourth time in LeBron James' career that his team has fallen behind 1-3 in the playoffs, and only once has he managed to come back — in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals against Boston (Cleveland won in seven games).
Let's break down how LeBron scored. Of his 42 points, 28 came in the paint, showcasing his dominance near the rim despite his age. James made 6 of 10 mid-range shots but only 2 of 7 from beyond the arc. His teammates — Anthony Davis (14 points, 9 rebounds) and Austin Reaves (11 points) — underperformed, and the Lakers' bench contributed just 19 points compared to Indiana's 41.
For the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton shined again with 28 points, 11 assists, and 5 rebounds. Pascal Siakam added 24 points and 8 rebounds, while center Myles Turner posted a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, plus 4 blocks. Indiana shot 15 of 34 from three-point range (44%), while the Lakers managed only 9 of 29 (31%).
Context and Significance
This game is yet another reminder of how little time LeBron James has left to compete for a championship. He is 41 years old, in his 23rd NBA season, and every playoff game could be his last. James hasn't won a title since 2020, when the Lakers captured their 17th championship in the bubble. Since then, the team has been eliminated in the first or second round three times, reaching the Western Conference Finals only once (in 2023).
For the Lakers, this defeat could mark the beginning of the end of an era. LeBron's contract with the club expires at the end of next season, and if the team cannot significantly upgrade in the offseason, there is a strong chance the 41-year-old forward will either retire or move to another franchise as a free agent. The front office has already faced criticism for poor trades in recent years, including the acquisition of Russell Westbrook and the loss of Kyrie Irving.
On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers are confirming their status as one of the Eastern Conference favorites. The team, which has reached the conference finals two years in a row, finally looks ready to contend for a title. Tyrese Haliburton, having his best season (averaging 24 points and 12 assists in the regular season), has proven he can lead the team in the most intense playoff games. If the Pacers get past the Lakers, they will face the winner of the Milwaukee-Miami series in the second round, where they have every chance to go far.
What's Next / Next Game Preview
Game 5 of the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers will take place on June 12, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. For the Lakers, it's an elimination game: a loss ends their season, and for LeBron James, it may be the moment to decide his basketball future. Indiana needs just one win to advance to the second round and gain an extra week of rest before their next opponent.
Analysts agree that the Lakers' chances of a comeback are slim. Only four teams in NBA history have come back from a 1-3 deficit in a first-round playoff series, and none have done so on the road in a decisive game. The Lakers, besides the series deficit, also have injury issues: Anthony Davis is playing through pain, and Gabe Vincent is out for the season. Indiana's roster depth far exceeds that of the Californians, making the Lakers' task nearly impossible.
Editorial Prediction
Given the current state of affairs, our prediction for Game 5 is a confident win for Indiana, closing the series 4-1. The Lakers are mentally broken after losing Game 4, where they led in the fourth quarter but couldn't hold the advantage. Such losses leave deep psychological scars, especially for an aging team with no fresh legs for another run.
LeBron James will likely put up another stellar stat line — 35-40 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists — but it won't be enough. Indiana will continue to double-team him in key moments, forcing his teammates to shoot. And LeBron's teammates — Reaves, Russell, and Hachimura — have proven over four games that they cannot be reliable offensive options under playoff pressure.
Final score: Indiana Pacers 118, Los Angeles Lakers 104. Haliburton will post a double-double (25 points, 12 assists), while Turner and Siakam will combine for another 40 points. LeBron James will log 43 minutes, scoring on drives, but he simply won't have support from the bench. The Lakers will be eliminated in the first round for the second straight year, and a major rebuild will begin in Los Angeles this summer. And for the 41-year-old LeBron, this game may be his last. If so, 45 games with 40+ points in the playoffs is a fitting way to end the career of the greatest player in basketball history.
— Editorial Team
