LeBron James Reaches 500 Steals in Game 5 — Houston Rockets Vs Lakers Timeline

LeBron James hit 500 postseason steals in the houston rockets vs lakers timeline on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena. His first steal of Game 5 pushed him to the milestone, and he entered the game in first place all-time in playoff steals.

LeBron James and the 500-steal mark

James did it in his 297th career playoff game. He now stands at 500 postseason steals, with Scottie Pippen second all-time at 395 and Michael Jordan third at 376.

Dave McMenamin posted that James reached the mark with his first steal of the night and that he was already the postseason steals leader before the ball was tipped. The milestone added another line to a playoff record book that already lists James as the all-time leader in playoff wins, minutes played and total points.

Lakers-Rockets series pressure

The Lakers had carried a 3-0 lead into Game 4, then lost in Houston on Sunday. That loss left the series open longer than Los Angeles wanted, with Game 5 carrying the chance to close out the first round.

The game also came with Austin Reaves back after straining his oblique in the April 2 game in Oklahoma City. Luka Doncic had been sidelined with a hamstring strain since that same night, leaving the Lakers to manage the series without him while Houston kept pushing the matchup deeper.

Houston halftime lead

Houston took a 51-47 lead into halftime of Game 5. That score kept the Rockets alive after the Lakers had been one win away from the next round and put the focus back on whether Los Angeles could finish the job on Wednesday night.

If the Lakers close out the Rockets in Game 5, Game 6 or Game 7, it will be James' 42nd playoff series captured. He has already appeared in 10 NBA Finals and won four championship rings, with titles for the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Lakers.