Los Angeles has been quiet on Sunday, with NBA fans holding their breath for the showdown against their Western rivals, the Thunder. All eyes are on LeBron James and the team as they battle to lock down the third spot in the West. But OKC is no easy opponent. The game is intense, and so is the drama. And LeBron, as always, was seen pulling his usual antics, and this time, it actually worked in his favor.

As LeBron drove to the basket, three OKC players closed in on him. There was contact, and soon the game official gave him an offensive foul. LeBron disagreed with it. He kept saying it wasn’t a foul. And after the review, the call was reversed. What looked like a foul at first was overturned. But how? After rechecking the play, the officials determined that the contact was minimal and concluded it wasn’t a foul. Meanwhile, LeBron was seen doing something behind the scenes.

LeBron—never shy to voice his opinions, especially when it comes to standing up for himself or his teammates. This time, though, his mid-game chat with the Lakers’ broadcasters actually seemed to tip the scales on a crucial call. It’s not every day you see a player actively explaining a play while the decision is still pending—and then having it go his way.

But that’s LeBron for you. Four championships, two decades in the league, and a voice that carries weight. And he wasn’t just defending himself—he made sure to let the refs (and everyone else) know where he stood when a teammate got the short end of the stick too.

LeBron James expressed his true emotions about Rui Hachimura

The game ended in a dominant 126-99 victory for the Lakers over OKC, but LeBron James wasn’t going to let the energy and mentality slip during the match. With the playoffs so close, that’s the last thing he’d want. So, when Rui Hachimura didn’t box out the ball during the game, LeBron was on fire.

With four minutes left in the second quarter, things got scrappy—Jalen Williams missed the three, Rui tried to grab the board but couldn’t capitalize, and after a couple of quick passes and another missed three from Caruso, LeBron had seen enough. He wasn’t letting Rui off easy. The King let him hear it, yelling at the 27-year-old forward right on the court.

It wasn’t just frustration—it was a reminder. LeBron demands accountability, especially during high-stakes moments. Thankfully for Rui, the Lakers pulled off the win, which probably saved him from an even more intense locker room talk. Because when you’re playing next to LeBron James, you either bring your A-game or brace for impact.

LeBron played it slow. He scored 19 points with 7 assists, as he didn’t want to risk his health after returning from an injury just before the postseason. Considering how the Lakers performed against the league’s top team this season, they definitely seem to be on the right track.