LeBron James

James, who turns 36 later this month, led the Lakers to their first title in a decade in October having previously won two championships with the Miami Heat and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Lakers are favourites to again win the title in the upcoming season which tips off later this month.

Anthony Davis had 19 points and 15 rebounds, and Rajon Rondo scored 19 for the Lakers, who matched the Boston Celtics for most titles in league history with their first championship since 2010.

James, named the Finals' MVP, earned his fourth title with his third different team.

Bam Adebayo had 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder scored 12 each for the Heat, whose Cinderella run at the NBA bubble came to an end.

Sunday’s Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat will be the 260th of James’ playoff career, lifting him into sole possession of first place on the league’s postseason appearances list.

James is in his 17th season. After missing the playoffs in his first two seasons, he has reached the postseason 14 times in 15 years. His teams in Cleveland, Miami and now Los Angeles have gone 14-0 in first-round series with James on the roster, 11-3 in second-round series and 10-1 in the conference-final round.

October is for baseball glory, and there can only be one Mr. October. By swatting three home runs on three swings in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Reggie Jackson cemented one of the most fitting, enduring nicknames in all of sports.

In 2020, of course, little proceeds as we expected. LeBron James is chasing one more win for his fourth N.B.A. championship at Walt Disney World at the same time Jackson’s beloved Yankees are scuffling with the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Divisional Series at a neutral site in San Diego.

James scored 33 points and Anthony Davis contributed 32, as the Lakers wore 'Black Mamba' uniforms in honour of Lakers legend Bryant.

The Lakers are now two wins away from their first NBA title since 2010.

Game three will take place in the NBA bubble on Sunday (Monday 00:30 BST).

Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in January.

His friend Kobe Bryant was the last player to lead the Lakers there, and with his passing earlier this year, the team, city of Los Angeles and the basketball world as a whole are reflecting on past memories of Bryant.

LeBron and Kobe are among the biggest names in the league over the past few decades and both were friends and competitors who respected each other as people and as players. James says he has had one regret, and that's not spending more time with Bryant and wishes their busy schedules hadn't gotten in the way of a final dinner. 

The Lakers and the Clippers are the top two seeds in the West as things stand, boasting an array of talents after Anthony Davis joined James last year, while Kawhi Leonard and Paul George went to their rivals.

Although James' Lakers lead the conference, they had been beaten by the Clippers in the sides' prior two meetings.

Lakers great Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash, along with seven others, in California last month.

Thousands packed into Staples Center on Monday for an emotional memorial service – Bryant's wife Vanessa, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal delivering heartfelt speeches.

James reflected on the service and Bryant's death prior to Tuesday's NBA clash against the New Orleans Pelicans.

He played in eight straight finals.

No NBA player won more games or more MVP awards over the last 10 years than he did. He started a school. He married his high school sweetheart.

“That’s all?” LeBron James asked, feigning disbelief.

No, that’s not all. Those were just some highlights of the last 10 years. There were many more, as the man called “King” spent the last decade reigning over all others — with no signs of slowing down.

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel revealed the four-time NBA MVP did the damage during a 105-102 defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

James will be monitored, but the 34-year-old is a doubt for the showdown with the Nuggets at Staples Center, where the Lakers will attempt to stop the rot after back-to-back defeats.

"It was sustained in the Indiana game," Vogel said. "He played through it in the Milwaukee [Bucks] game, but the medical team is just keeping a close eye on him and list him as doubtful [to play on Sunday].