This work investigates the mechanisms for friction reduction in textured journal bearings. The measured friction of laser-etched connecting-rod big-end shells was compared with a non-textured reference under engine-like conditions. Experiments covered several working conditions, and the friction and lubricant film temperatures were measured for three texture configurations. The origin of the verified friction reduction was explored using a numerical model that simulates the hydrodynamic lubrication and global thermal effects. The simulation results accurately matched the friction measurements, revealing that the microscopic mechanisms of reduction in lubricant shear stress and effective viscosity due to texture-induced cavitation act simultaneously to reduce the friction coefficient for the textured shells. The findings have practical applications for the optimal design of textured hydrodynamic bearings.