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With the 2025 NBA finals in full swing and Game 3 set for Wednesday night in Indianapolis, the basketball world is buzzing. But beyond the on-court action, LeBron James has stirred conversation with comments on his pre-finals routine and why his wife, Savannah, doesn't attend the games.
James, a 40-year-old NBA legend, is no stranger to the finals stage. He’s appeared in ten finals throughout his career and has won four championships. With decades of playoff experience, he knows the mental and physical toll the postseason demands.
On a recent episode of the 'Mind the Game' podcast, now co-hosted by Steve Nash, James discussed his approach to high-stakes moments like the NBA finals.
A key element of his preparation? Keeping everything consistent, including limiting family attendance.
“You gotta try to keep everything the same,” James said on the podcast. “For me personally, I never let my family come to a finals game unless it was a closeout game. If we were up 3-1, or it was 3-3—like Game 7 in 2016—my family didn’t come until then.”
James emphasized the importance of maintaining his routine and staying locked in.
“I didn’t want to change anything,” he continued. “Obviously, if we had a chance to close it out, the family would be there. But otherwise, I kept them home.”
When asked why, James pointed to the potential distractions that can arise, especially during road games.
“Especially on the road, I didn’t want my family there. I’m trying to focus—not just on myself, but on leading my team and making sure my teammates are locked in. If something happens in the stands involving my family, it could easily knock me out of my zone. Now I’m not as locked in as I want to be because some idiot said something to my wife.”
James’ mindset reflects the intense focus elite athletes often need at the highest levels of competition.
Although LeBron's Lakers were eliminated in the first round of the 2025 playoffs by the Timberwolves in five games, marking their second consecutive first-round exit, his insights remain valuable and intriguing to fans and players alike. In 292 career playoff games, James has averaged 28.4 points per game, showcasing his consistent greatness across two decades.
The 'Mind the Game' podcast originally launched in March 2024 with James and JJ Redick. Redick stepped away from the show after becoming the Lakers' head coach, and Nash stepped in as co-host shortly after.
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