For nearly two decades, LeBron James has been the gold standard of playoff excellence. His teams typically rolled through the early rounds with ease, and “first-round exit” was never a phrase associated with his name. In fact, for the longest time, LeBron had a spotless record in the first round, going undefeated until 2021 when the Los Angeles Lakers fell to the Phoenix Suns. Now, for a second consecutive postseason, LeBron faces a shocking and uncomfortable reality: his team is down 3-1 in the very first round.
It’s a surreal sight. LeBron James, the man whose postseason heroics have defined a generation, battling from the brink of elimination this early in the playoffs — again. And even crazier, this isn’t against dynastic teams like the Warriors or Spurs at their peak. This is happening against teams many would argue the Lakers, on paper, should at least be able to push to seven games.
Last season, LeBron and the Lakers found themselves in a 3-1 hole against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals — not the first round. That was different. But now, two years in a row, 3-1 deficits in the first round? It’s a trend that feels downright bizarre when talking about a player of LeBron’s magnitude.
The Lakers’ current struggles are the result of several factors: inconsistent shooting, defensive breakdowns, and at times, a seeming lack of urgency. The offense often stagnates, waiting for LeBron or Anthony Davis to save the possession late in the shot clock. But at age 40, even someone as physically gifted as LeBron can’t be expected to carry that burden every night like he did in his twenties or early thirties.
Adding to the concern is the mileage on his legs. LeBron is in his 22nd NBA season — an unprecedented level of longevity. At some point, Father Time starts tapping even the greatest on the shoulder. These back-to-back 3-1 deficits could be the first real signal that even LeBron’s superhuman playoff dominance has limits when combined with a flawed supporting cast and the wear-and-tear of two decades of basketball.
Still, if anyone can defy the odds, it’s LeBron James. His career is littered with incredible comebacks, most notably overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals against the 73-win Golden State Warriors — the greatest comeback in NBA history. So when people say it’s over, LeBron probably sees it as just another challenge, another chapter to add to his legendary story.
However, there’s an important difference between then and now. In 2016, LeBron was at his physical peak. Today, while still remarkably effective, he’s playing smarter, not necessarily harder. His mind remains elite — his ability to read defenses, manipulate matchups, and control the flow of the game is still unparalleled. But the question looms: can even that be enough at this stage to win three straight elimination games?
The Lakers will need more than just vintage LeBron performances to survive this. Anthony Davis must be dominant every night. The supporting cast — D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and others — have to be consistent, not sporadic. Defense needs to tighten up. The energy needs to be there from tip-off, not midway through the third quarter.
Another first-round exit — or even a meek exit after barely avoiding elimination — would sting for LeBron’s legacy, even if his all-time greatness is secure. Part of what made his postseason reputation so bulletproof was how he avoided these early-round pitfalls. Seeing him humanized in this way is jarring for fans who grew up with LeBron as an almost mythic playoff figure.
Still, we should remember: most players would dream of having these kinds of “struggles” after 22 seasons. The very fact that LeBron is even still in the conversation as a top player is extraordinary. Yet, with greatness comes expectation. And right now, staring down back-to-back 3-1 deficits in the first round, the expectation is simple: find a way out. Or for once, fall short.
Only time will tell which ending this story will have — but either way, it feels like the end of an era is coming into view.
