Despite their disappointing loss to the Miami Heat in Game 5 on Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers are still the heavy favorites to lift the title. If you ask LeBron James, however, the three-time NBA champ is adamant that now is not the time for complacency.

In his mind, LeBron believes that it's all about being in the moment:

“At the end of the day, you don't predetermine anything, and you take the game as it's going, and you play,” James said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “You play each quarter, you play each possession, and you live with the results. You don't think about what could happen at the end of the game and things of that nature. You don't get caught up in the aftermath.”

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Lakers News
LeBron James, Stephen (Steph) Curry, who may be heading to an ESPN NBA broadcasting booth after they retire, after Lakers-Warriors game on December 25, 2024.
ESPN has ‘hopeful’ LeBron James, Stephen Curry wishAndrew Korpan ·
Chris Paul rescinded NBA trade Lakers Hornets
NBA news: Chris Paul shuts down Hornets-Lakers trade conspiracyJulian Ojeda ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic’s offseason body transformation has Lakers fans hypedJedd Pagaduan ·
Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal stands next to Kobe Bryant with GOAT signs in background
Shaquille O’Neal has no regrets over treatment of Kobe BryantRandall Barnes ·
image thumbnail
NBA rumors: Lakers’ Austin Reaves trade strategy as 2 center targets emergeErik Slater ·
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
Lakers’ LeBron James dumps fuel on Brian Windhorst feud with calloutMalik Brown ·

There was a general belief that the Lakers were going to bag the championship on Friday. James himself was previously 3-0 in closeout games in the Finals prior to Friday's defeat. Moreover, the Lakers hadn't lost a single game in the Black Mamba jerseys, which again, was a record that was erased by Miami in Game 5.

Be that as it may, there's no denying that the Lakers still remain as the favorites to win the title. Clearly, though, this is the last thing on LeBron's mind. He's all about staying locked in on every possession, making sure he and the rest of the team get their jobs done. Everything else should then follow suit.

Game 6 is scheduled on Sunday, and the Lakers will have another closeout opportunity to finally put an end to Miami's amazing playoffs run.