LeBron James Saw It Coming on Luke Kennard’s clutch three as Lakers Continue 9-game Winning Streak
LeBron James reacts to Luke Kennard’s game-winning three, revealing he knew the shot was going in even before it dropped, as his courtside read draws attention online
- Surbhi Khera
- 4 min read
Nine straight wins now for the Lakers, and the run is starting to carry a pattern. The results are stacking up, but it’s the way these games are closing that is attracting the eyeballs. The big plays have been coming in from all directions lately. But today’s star is the Lakers’ shooting gaurd, Luke Kennard.
The latest win, followed a similar script. A tight game, a late shot, and a finish that turned in a matter of seconds. It looked routine on paper, but the sequence had more going on than just the basket.
Adding to it is LeBron James’ reaction, which has fans all amped up, bcoming a significant part of the conversation. The veteran forward turned almost instantly after spotting the setup, even before the shot dropped. It was a small moment, but hard to miss once you see it.
As the clip moved online, the focus shifted beyond the result. People were watching the reaction as much as the shot, trying to understand how early it came.
1. LeBron James breaks down his early read on Luke Kennard’s game-winner
Speaking after the game, the 39-year-old forward broke down the moment from his perspective. The veteran forward described how the moment unfolded as soon as the play developed. Once the ball moved, he turned and immediately noticed it was in the shooter’s hands with a clear look from beyond the arc. *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(–header-height)" dir=“auto” data-turn-id=“ad6454ca-ce2d-4230-a0bb-370bf1893edd” data-testid=“conversation-turn-61” data-scroll-anchor=“false” data-turn=“user”> In an interview with Spectrum Sports Net, LeBron James said, ‘After you got to see the ball, I turned and saw the ball was in his hands on the wide open three.’ A recognition that came as soon as the play opened up. He went on to point out that the space around the shooter made the situation clear. ‘I pretty much knew it was cash, but obviously you got to see it go through,’ he added. And as fans can already tell, it was a distinct read built on experience rather than guesswork. The result saw the Los Angeles Lakers edge past the Orlando Magic 105–104 on March 21, 2026, with Luke Kennard knocking down a game-winning three-pointer with just 0.6 seconds remaining. The shooting guard’s late finish capped off another close contest in what has been a strong run for the team.
2. LeBron James takes over Robert Parish, sets the record for most regular-season games played
The four time NBA Champion added his reaction after the shot came immediately. ‘I had a super quick reaction right after,’ he explained, describing how quickly his focus shifted in the moment. The play had not fully ended, and he was already thinking about what came next. He pointed out that the situation still required urgency. ‘I knew they had no timeouts, so we had to get back on defense and at least get a hand up,’ he said. The emphasis stayed on finishing the possession rather than assuming the game was over. The night also carried added significance beyond the closing sequence. The 41-year-old set a new NBA record for most regular-season games played, reaching his 1,612th appearance and moving past Robert Parish. The milestone came in the same game that ended with the late three. Reflecting on that achievement, champion downplayed its importance in his personal goals. ‘It just kind of happened. It was not on the list of things that I wanted to accomplish,’ he said, adding that his focus had always been on winning titles and competing at the highest level.
3. Kevin Durant moves past Michael Jordan in scoring list as other games see late drama
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It was not just LeBron James marking a milestone on the night. Kevin Durant climbed to fifth on the NBA’s all-time regular-season scoring list, moving past Michael Jordan. The achievement came during a close win for the Houston Rockets. The American forward reached 32,294 career points, edging two ahead of Jordan. He finished with 27 points in a 123-122 win over the Miami Heat, sealing the moment with a three-pointer in the fourth quarter. ‘It means a lot,’ he said, reflecting on the milestone. He added that the journey mattered just as much as the numbers. ‘*I’m grateful to be here and for this incredible journey it’s been,’ *he said. The veteran also noted that he is looking forward to continuing his run in the league. Elsewhere, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder with 40 points in a 132-111 win over the Washington Wizards. The game saw four ejections, including Ajay Mitchell, Jaylin Williams, Cason Wallace, and Justin Champagnie, following a brawl late in the second quarter, as the Thunder remained top of the Western Conference.