The Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit in the final moments to secure a dramatic overtime victory against the Houston Rockets, winning 112-108 on April 25, 2026.
LeBron James led the charge with an impressive performance, scoring 29 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. The Lakers now hold a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round series of the NBA playoffs.
The game was tense, with the Lakers trailing by six points with just 30 seconds left in regulation. Marcus Smart also contributed significantly, netting 21 points and assisting on key plays down the stretch.
Alperen Sengun had a standout game for the Rockets, scoring 33 points and pulling down 16 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the win. The absence of Kevin Durant due to a sprained left ankle left a noticeable gap for Los Angeles.
Key statistics:
- LeBron James: 29 points, 13 rebounds, 45 minutes played
- Marcus Smart: 21 points, 10 assists
- Alperen Sengun: 33 points, 16 rebounds
- Lakers’ series lead: 3-0
- Total points scored by Lakers: 112
- Total points scored by Rockets: 108
- Lakers’ comeback from a six-point deficit in final moments
JJ Redick remarked on the difficulty of winning on the road during playoff games, stating, “It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs and even without KD they’re a great basketball team.” Meanwhile, Ime Udoka acknowledged his team’s struggles late in games: “It’s obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish.”
The next challenge for both teams comes quickly; Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday night in Houston. The Lakers are just one victory away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.
