LeBron James Reveals Playoff Phone Blackout Strategy

Lakers star says he used to turn off his phone completely during postseason runs to avoid distractions.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 8:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James revealed that earlier in his career, he would turn off his phone completely during the NBA playoffs to avoid distractions and stay focused. James said he would only allow his closest associates to contact him in case of emergencies, as he wanted to eliminate any outside noise and hold himself accountable during deep playoff runs.

Why it matters

James' playoff phone blackout strategy provides a glimpse into the mindset and discipline required to sustain excellence at the highest level of the NBA. As the Lakers struggle to recapture their championship form, James' past approach could offer insights into how he plans to lead the team back to contention in what may be his final season in Los Angeles.

The details

Speaking on the Mind the Game podcast, James revealed that during his playoff runs, he would turn off his phone for the entire postseason, lasting up to two-and-a-half months. He said the only people who could contact him were his close associates like his business partner Randy Mims and his friend Maverick Carter. James emphasized that if his loved ones needed to reach him in an emergency, they could contact those individuals, who would then come to his location.

  • LeBron James made the NBA Finals eight times in a row earlier in his career.

The players

LeBron James

A 19-year NBA veteran and four-time champion who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Randy Mims

LeBron James' business partner.

Maverick Carter

LeBron James' friend and business associate.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Who's going to hold me more accountable than myself, as I continue to mention? So, just through a whole playoff run, I would just turn my phone off completely. If my loved ones wanted to get in contact with me, Randy was with me every day. Maverick would be around, you know, a lot of the time.”

— LeBron James

What’s next

The Lakers have about six weeks left in the regular season to improve their ninth-ranked defense and build chemistry between LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves in order to make a playoff push.

The takeaway

LeBron James' past strategy of completely disconnecting from the outside world during the playoffs demonstrates the level of focus and discipline required to sustain excellence in the NBA. As the Lakers struggle this season, James' approach could provide a blueprint for how he plans to lead the team back to contention in what may be his final campaign in Los Angeles.