What LeBron James said about Jabari Smith Jr’s eye-opening claim after Game 5 loss
LeBron James rejected Jabari Smith Jr.'s comment after the Rockets’ Game 5 win, emphasizing execution as the Lakers' offense struggles without Luka Doncic.
What LeBron James said about Jabari Smith Jr’s eye-opening claim after Game 5 loss originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Los Angeles Lakers had a chance to close out the series at home on Wednesday night but they ended up losing to the Houston Rockets at home.
That gives Ime Udoka’s squad a life heading into Friday's Game 6. LeBron James put up 25 points and seven assists, but the Lakers' shorthanded offense without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves couldn’t keep up with Houston. Luke Kennard, who led the NBA in three-point shooting during the regular season, had a strong start to the series with 64 points over the first three games.
However, he disappeared in Game 5, finishing with just one point on 0-for-4 shooting in 31 minutes. The collapse made Jabari Smith Jr. ’s bold pregame comments feel a lot more accurate than anyone in the Lakers' locker room wanted to admit.
LeBron James dismisses Jabari Smith Jr. , puts focus back on execution Before Game 5, Smith Jr. told reporters the Rockets were "obviously the better team," saying , "I just feel like from top to bottom, you can say it's an opinion, you can say I'm biased, but I just think we're the better team.