With 37 points and the game-winning layup in overtime against the Jazz, LeBron James gives the Lakers a play-in position.

After his March comeback from a foot ailment, James had his greatest game.

Recently, everything has gone well for the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Utah Jazz severely decimated by injuries going into Tuesday’s game, they appeared to have a clear route to not only win their fourth straight game, but also secure at least a position in the Western Conference play-in round. Given that tomorrow’s historic matchup with the Clippers is looming, the Lakers may have treated the Jazz a little too lightly. Utah profited from that.

With 1:43 remaining in regulation, the Lakers led 124-114, but a 10-0 Jazz rally forced overtime. Even with one minute left in overtime, Utah was leading the Lakers. The Lakers regained the lead thanks to a jump shot from Austin Reaves, but Talen Horton-Tucker, a former Laker, levelled the score at 133 after making both of his free throw attempts. Yet, following a break, the most well-known Laker had maybe his biggest moment of the year. The Lakers won 135-133 thanks to a fast layup from LeBron James. The Lakers completed the victory with one more stop.

James scored 37 points in the game, which is the most points he has scored since returning from the foot ailment that kept him out for the most of March. The two points from the layup earned him that total. His colleagues were so moved by his performance that they hardly gave him a chance to address the media following the game. They made goat noises to try to block out his responses.

The Lakers’ chance to earn the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoffs was now in their own hands thanks to the victory. While they are presently behind the Clippers in the standings, they will face off on Wednesday, and whomever wins will take a one-game lead with just two games remaining. The game is the second of a back-to-back, so it’s uncertain if the Lakers will truly deploy all of their top players. The Lakers have been cautious in that regard all season, and according to Darvin Ham, a decision about the status of James, Anthony Davis, and D’Angelo Russell will be made tomorrow.

Yet, the Lakers were only.500 two months ago and were stuck as the No. 13 seed. James was hurt for the most of their ascent up the rankings. Therefore it makes sense that a suddenly healthy James would score the decisive basket to secure their spot in the postseason. Although he may not have contributed to all of his team’s recent success, he was there for them when they needed him the most, and as a result, the Lakers’ future prospects seem more promising than ever.