Game Center

LAL

Lakers

112-108

Final/OT

HOU

Rockets

James makes tying 3 as Lakers storm back late, win in OT and take a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets

By AP•Apr 25, 2026

Game Recap

Quentin Richarson breaks down the message LeBron James is sending after his big performance for the Lakers in Game 3 vs. the Rockets.

HOUSTON -- — LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a Houston Rockets team missing Kevin Durant for a 112-108 win Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.

The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.

“It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs and even without KD they’re a great basketball team,” coach JJ Redick said. “And that was a huge test for us, especially in that moment when we’re down six.”

Los Angeles opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Smart to take a 107-103 lead.

Smart made two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed Sheppard made a 3-pointer to get Houston within three with less than 30 seconds left in overtime but Smart made 1 of 2 free throws to push the lead to 112-108.

The 41-year-old James played more than 45 minutes Friday night. He said with top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries he has no choice but to do whatever he can.

“Everyone has to do a little bit more because of how much we’re missing,” James said. “It’s a challenge for all of us and just trying to figure it out together.”

Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers.

Even with Durant out for a second game in this series — this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury — the Rockets were in position to close out the game after James had consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead.

Houston struggled at times to close out games in the fourth quarter and the problem continued Friday night.

“It’s obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish,” coach Ime Udoka said. “The amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious and you can’t have those.”

Durant wasn't on the bench Friday night and Udoka said it was because he was receiving treatment on his injured ankle.

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers led by 15 early, but were down six before Smart was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 25 seconds to go after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws.

“It was a smart play, and that’s part of my vet savvy, being in the league for 12 years,” Smart said. “I picked up some tricks from some guys, right. So, that helped us a lot.”

James then stole the ball from Sheppard and his 3-pointer tied it at 101-all with 13 seconds to go in the fourth.

Sengun missed a 7-footer and the Lakers had a chance to win, but James' 3-point attempt bounced off the rim to send it to OT.

James, who threw an alley-oop pass to his son Bronny for a basket in the first half, also had 13 rebounds.

------

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Series Context

Playoff Series and Prior Meetings

Full meeting history and series status so you can track momentum before tip-off and after the final whistle.

LAL lead series 3-0

Playoff Series

HOU at LAL

Sun, Apr 19

98 - 107

Final

HOU at LAL

Wed, Apr 22

94 - 101

Final

LAL at HOU

Sat, Apr 25

112 - 108

Final

LAL at HOU

Mon, Apr 27

96 - 115

Final

HOU at LAL

Thu, Apr 30

99 - 93

Final

LAL at HOU

Sat, May 2

98 - 78

Final

LAL win series 2-1

Regular Season Series

HOU at LAL

Fri, Dec 26

119 - 96

Final

LAL at HOU

Tue, Mar 17

100 - 92

Final

LAL at HOU

Thu, Mar 19

124 - 116

Final

Statistics visualization

Game Analysis

Head-to-head production and efficiency

Game Stats

LAL

HOU

38-79FG40-98

48Field Goal %41

12-293PT11-39

41Three Point %28

24-32FT17-23

9Offensive Rebounds18

36Defensive Rebounds31

28Assists21

12Steals15

6Blocks6

20Turnovers15

1Technical Fouls1

17Points Conceded Off Turnovers22

9Fast Break Points15

23Fouls20

15Largest Lead6

Match Leaders

Recent plays and game events

Play By Play

1st Quarter

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
12:00	Deandre Ayton vs. Alperen Sengun (Rui Hachimura gains possession)	0	0
11:45	Rui Hachimura makes 23-foot three point jumper (LeBron James assists)	0	3
11:24	Reed Sheppard makes 25-foot three point jumper (Amen Thompson assists)	3	3
11:05	LeBron James makes 25-foot three point jumper (Deandre Ayton assists)	3	6
10:39	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Alperen Sengun assists)	6	6
10:18	Jabari Smith Jr. shooting foul	6	6
10:18	Rui Hachimura makes free throw 1 of 2	6	7
10:18	Rui Hachimura misses free throw 2 of 2	6	7
10:18	Tari Eason defensive rebound	6	7
10:03	Reed Sheppard makes 4-foot two point shot	8	7
9:37	Alperen Sengun kicked ball violation	8	7
9:26	Rui Hachimura makes 9-foot two point shot (Marcus Smart assists)	8	9
9:07	Alperen Sengun makes 3-foot two point shot (Reed Sheppard assists)	10	9
8:53	Rui Hachimura makes 24-foot three point jumper (Marcus Smart assists)	10	12
8:38	Reed Sheppard misses 23-foot three point jumper	10	12
8:36	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	10	12
8:34	Deandre Ayton lost ball turnover (Tari Eason steals)	10	12
8:20	Amen Thompson misses 23-foot three point jumper	10	12
8:19	Jabari Smith Jr. offensive rebound	10	12
8:14	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 13-foot two point shot	10	12
8:12	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	10	12
8:01	Luke Kennard makes 26-foot three point jumper (LeBron James assists)	10	15
7:41	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Tari Eason assists)	13	15
7:28	Rui Hachimura makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Deandre Ayton assists)	13	17
7:15	Reed Sheppard misses 30-foot three point pullup jump shot	13	17
7:14	Alperen Sengun offensive rebound	13	17
7:12	Reed Sheppard misses 30-foot three point jumper	13	17
7:10	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	13	17
6:57	Deandre Ayton misses layup	13	17
6:56	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	13	17
6:53	Luke Kennard shooting foul	13	17
6:53	Rockets Full timeout	13	17
6:53	Jake LaRavia enters the game for Marcus Smart	13	17
6:53	Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2	14	17
6:53	Amen Thompson misses free throw 2 of 2	14	17
6:53	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	14	17
6:35	Jake LaRavia offensive foul	14	17
6:35	Jake LaRavia offensive foul turnover	14	17
6:17	Tari Eason makes 2-foot two point shot (Alperen Sengun assists)	16	17
6:08	Luke Kennard misses 24-foot three point step back jumpshot	16	17
6:06	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	16	17
5:54	Alperen Sengun makes driving layup	18	17
5:54	Rui Hachimura shooting foul	18	17
5:54	Josh Okogie enters the game for Amen Thompson	18	17
5:54	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 1	19	17
5:33	LeBron James makes driving layup (Luke Kennard assists)	19	19
5:19	Alperen Sengun misses 27-foot three point jumper	19	19
5:17	LeBron James defensive rebound	19	19
5:11	Deandre Ayton misses 18-foot running jump shot	19	19
5:10	Jake LaRavia offensive rebound	19	19
5:06	Luke Kennard misses 25-foot three point jumper	19	19
5:06	Lakers offensive team rebound	19	19
5:03	Clint Capela enters the game for Alperen Sengun	19	19
5:03	Jaxson Hayes enters the game for Deandre Ayton	19	19
5:03	Marcus Smart enters the game for LeBron James	19	19
5:00	Jabari Smith Jr. shooting foul	19	19
5:00	Luke Kennard makes free throw 1 of 2	19	20
5:00	Luke Kennard makes free throw 2 of 2	19	21
4:45	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 9-foot pullup jump shot	19	21
4:44	Clint Capela offensive rebound	19	21
4:43	Clint Capela makes tip shot	21	21
4:36	Jabari Smith Jr. personal foul	21	21
4:36	Jabari Smith Jr. technical foul	21	21
4:36	Luke Kennard misses technical free throw	21	21
4:36	Lakers offensive team rebound	21	21
4:36	Amen Thompson enters the game for Jabari Smith Jr.	21	21
4:36	Dorian Finney-Smith enters the game for Tari Eason	21	21
4:29	Amen Thompson blocks Marcus Smart 's 7-foot driving floating jump shot	21	21
4:29	Lakers offensive team rebound	21	21
4:23	Jaxson Hayes makes 3-foot layup (Luke Kennard assists)	21	23
4:16	Jaxson Hayes shooting foul	21	23
4:16	Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2	22	23
4:16	Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2	23	23
4:03	Jaxson Hayes makes 4-foot dunk (Marcus Smart assists)	23	25
4:03	Clint Capela shooting foul	23	25
4:03	Jaxson Hayes makes free throw 1 of 1	23	26
3:46	Reed Sheppard lost ball turnover (Jaxson Hayes steals)	23	26
3:40	Rui Hachimura makes 23-foot three point jumper (Luke Kennard assists)	23	29
3:31	Amen Thompson misses 13-foot two point shot	23	29
3:30	Dorian Finney-Smith offensive rebound	23	29
3:29	Dorian Finney-Smith misses tip shot	23	29
3:29	Clint Capela offensive rebound	23	29
3:28	Clint Capela misses tip shot	23	29
3:28	Josh Okogie offensive rebound	23	29
3:28	Josh Okogie misses tip shot	23	29
3:27	Luke Kennard defensive rebound	23	29
3:15	Aaron Holiday enters the game for Reed Sheppard	23	29
3:15	Alperen Sengun enters the game for Clint Capela	23	29
3:12	Jaxson Hayes vs. Dorian Finney-Smith (Alperen Sengun gains possession)	23	29
3:12	Marcus Smart bad pass turnover (Dorian Finney-Smith steals)	23	29
3:03	Dorian Finney-Smith misses 26-foot jump bank shot	23	29
3:02	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	23	29
2:53	Marcus Smart makes 25-foot three pointer (Jake LaRavia assists)	23	32
2:31	Josh Okogie lost ball turnover (Marcus Smart steals)	23	32
2:21	Jaxson Hayes makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Luke Kennard assists)	23	34
2:21	Rockets Full timeout	23	34
2:21	Tari Eason enters the game for Josh Okogie	23	34
2:12	Alperen Sengun makes 7-foot two point shot	25	34
2:12	Jake LaRavia personal foul	25	34
2:12	Tari Eason makes free throw 1 of 1	26	34
2:12	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 1	27	34
2:12	Jaxson Hayes loose ball foul	27	34
2:04	Marcus Smart bad pass turnover (Alperen Sengun steals)	27	34
2:01	Marcus Smart blocks Alperen Sengun 's 3-foot running layup	27	34
2:00	Tari Eason makes two point shot	29	34
2:00	Tari Eason offensive rebound	29	34
1:57	Rockets delay of game violation	29	34
1:36	Luke Kennard misses layup	29	34
1:36	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	29	34
1:31	Aaron Holiday misses 25-foot running jump shot	29	34
1:30	Rui Hachimura defensive rebound	29	34
1:24	Luke Kennard makes running layup (Rui Hachimura assists)	29	36
1:13	Alperen Sengun makes 26-foot three point jumper (Amen Thompson assists)	32	36
54.8	Rui Hachimura makes 11-foot two point shot (Marcus Smart assists)	32	38
37.1	Alperen Sengun lost ball turnover (Rui Hachimura steals)	32	38
32.7	Luke Kennard misses two point shot	32	38
31.1	Tari Eason defensive rebound	32	38
23.7	Aaron Holiday lost ball turnover (Marcus Smart steals)	32	38
23.4	Dorian Finney-Smith transition take foul	32	38
23.4	Luke Kennard makes free throw 1 of 1	32	39
23.4	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Aaron Holiday	32	39
23.4	LeBron James enters the game for Jake LaRavia	32	39
0.5	Luke Kennard misses 22-foot three point jumper	32	39
0.5	Lakers offensive team rebound	32	39
0.0	End of the 1st Quarter	32	39

2nd Quarter

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
12:00	Jabari Smith Jr. enters the game for Dorian Finney-Smith	32	39
12:00	Jake LaRavia enters the game for Luke Kennard	32	39
12:00	Deandre Ayton enters the game for Jaxson Hayes	32	39
12:00	Jarred Vanderbilt enters the game for Rui Hachimura	32	39
12:00	Bronny James enters the game for Marcus Smart	32	39
11:44	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Reed Sheppard assists)	35	39
11:15	Jake LaRavia misses 9-foot two point shot	35	39
11:15	Jarred Vanderbilt offensive rebound	35	39
11:14	Jarred Vanderbilt makes tip shot	35	41
10:51	Alperen Sengun bad pass turnover (Deandre Ayton steals)	35	41
10:32	Tari Eason shooting foul	35	41
10:32	LeBron James makes free throw 1 of 2	35	42
10:32	LeBron James makes free throw 2 of 2	35	43
10:17	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 25-foot three point jumper (Reed Sheppard assists)	38	43
9:57	Amen Thompson blocks Jake LaRavia 's 6-foot driving layup	38	43
9:56	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	38	43
9:46	Tari Eason misses 26-foot three point jumper	38	43
9:45	LeBron James defensive rebound	38	43
9:34	Jake LaRavia makes 2-foot layup (LeBron James assists)	38	45
9:27	Bronny James personal foul	38	45
9:23	Jarred Vanderbilt shooting foul	38	45
9:23	Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2	39	45
9:23	Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2	40	45
9:23	Deandre Ayton personal foul	40	45
9:23	Alperen Sengun misses free throw 1 of 1	40	45
9:22	Amen Thompson offensive rebound	40	45
9:06	Reed Sheppard misses 22-foot three point pullup jump shot	40	45
9:06	Rockets offensive team rebound	40	45
9:06	shot clock turnover	40	45
8:42	LeBron James makes 17-foot two point shot	40	47
8:20	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 23-foot three point jumper	40	47
8:20	Amen Thompson offensive rebound	40	47
8:11	Reed Sheppard misses 23-foot three point jumper	40	47
8:08	Tari Eason offensive rebound	40	47
8:08	Jake LaRavia personal foul	40	47
8:08	Lakers delay of game violation	40	47
8:08	Jae'Sean Tate enters the game for Amen Thompson	40	47
8:08	Clint Capela enters the game for Alperen Sengun	40	47
8:01	Tari Eason misses 12-foot fade away jump shot	40	47
8:00	Jarred Vanderbilt defensive rebound	40	47
7:47	Jarred Vanderbilt misses 23-foot three point jumper	40	47
7:44	Jake LaRavia offensive rebound	40	47
7:37	Bronny James makes 25-foot three pointer	40	50
7:18	Deandre Ayton blocks Reed Sheppard 's 2-foot two point shot	40	50
7:17	LeBron James defensive rebound	40	50
7:11	Bronny James makes 1-foot layup (LeBron James assists)	40	52
6:50	Reed Sheppard makes 26-foot three pointer (Clint Capela assists)	43	52
6:32	LeBron James makes 24-foot three pointer	43	55
6:21	Reed Sheppard misses driving floating jump shot	43	55
6:16	Lakers defensive team rebound	43	55
6:16	Rockets Full timeout	43	55
6:16	Luke Kennard enters the game for Jake LaRavia	43	55
6:16	Rui Hachimura enters the game for Jarred Vanderbilt	43	55
6:16	Marcus Smart enters the game for Bronny James	43	55
6:16	(06:16) [Lakers] COACH'S CHALLENGE (CALL REPLAYCENTER)	43	55
6:16	Amen Thompson enters the game for Tari Eason	43	55
6:16	Dorian Finney-Smith enters the game for Clint Capela	43	55
6:06	LeBron James makes layup (Marcus Smart assists)	43	57
5:48	LeBron James personal foul	43	57
5:48	Jae'Sean Tate misses free throw 1 of 2	43	57
5:48	Rockets offensive team rebound	43	57
5:48	Jaxson Hayes enters the game for Deandre Ayton	43	57
5:48	Jae'Sean Tate makes free throw 2 of 2	44	57
5:37	Jaxson Hayes makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Marcus Smart assists)	44	59
5:22	Amen Thompson misses two point shot	44	59
5:21	Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound	44	59
5:10	Rui Hachimura out of bounds lost ball turnover	44	59
5:10	Alperen Sengun enters the game for Jae'Sean Tate	44	59
4:54	Amen Thompson makes 2-foot dunk (Alperen Sengun assists)	46	59
4:31	LeBron James misses two point shot	46	59
4:30	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	46	59
4:20	Reed Sheppard out of bounds bad pass turnover	46	59
4:20	Jarred Vanderbilt enters the game for LeBron James	46	59
3:58	Rui Hachimura misses 12-foot two point shot	46	59
3:57	Dorian Finney-Smith defensive rebound	46	59
3:39	Reed Sheppard misses 19-foot fade away jump shot	46	59
3:38	Rockets offensive team rebound	46	59
3:38	Jarred Vanderbilt loose ball foul	46	59
3:38	Jabari Smith Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2	47	59
3:38	Tari Eason enters the game for Reed Sheppard	47	59
3:38	Jabari Smith Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2	48	59
3:21	Jarred Vanderbilt misses layup	48	59
3:19	Dorian Finney-Smith defensive rebound	48	59
3:09	Alperen Sengun misses 10-foot two point shot	48	59
3:08	Jarred Vanderbilt defensive rebound	48	59
2:57	Amen Thompson blocks Luke Kennard 's 2-foot driving layup	48	59
2:57	Lakers offensive team rebound	48	59
2:57	Lakers Full timeout	48	59
2:57	LeBron James enters the game for Jarred Vanderbilt	48	59
2:43	Rui Hachimura misses 24-foot three point jumper	48	59
2:42	Dorian Finney-Smith defensive rebound	48	59
2:21	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Dorian Finney-Smith	48	59
2:19	Alperen Sengun misses 27-foot three point jumper	48	59
2:17	Lakers defensive team rebound	48	59
1:57	Alperen Sengun shooting foul	48	59
1:57	LeBron James makes free throw 1 of 2	48	60
1:57	LeBron James makes free throw 2 of 2	48	61
1:48	Rui Hachimura shooting foul	48	61
1:48	Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2	49	61
1:48	Deandre Ayton enters the game for Jaxson Hayes	49	61
1:48	Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2	50	61
1:35	LeBron James bad pass turnover (Amen Thompson steals)	50	61
1:31	Amen Thompson out of bounds lost ball turnover	50	61
1:08	Marcus Smart bad pass turnover (Tari Eason steals)	50	61
1:03	Tari Eason misses running layup	50	61
1:01	Luke Kennard defensive rebound	50	61
58.2	Deandre Ayton out of bounds bad pass turnover	50	61
45.0	Amen Thompson makes 9-foot two point shot	52	61
25.3	Rui Hachimura misses 17-foot step back jumpshot	52	61
23.8	Deandre Ayton offensive rebound	52	61
17.4	Luke Kennard makes 8-foot pullup jump shot	52	63
1.7	Amen Thompson misses 18-foot pullup jump shot	52	63
0.4	Luke Kennard defensive rebound	52	63
0.0	End of the 2nd Quarter	52	63

3rd Quarter

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
11:40	Alperen Sengun makes 5-foot two point shot	54	63
11:14	LeBron James misses 10-foot two point shot	54	63
11:12	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	54	63
10:57	Alperen Sengun misses 25-foot three point jumper	54	63
10:56	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	54	63
10:48	Reed Sheppard personal foul	54	63
10:31	Marcus Smart makes 3-foot two point shot	54	65
10:09	Jabari Smith Jr. lost ball turnover	54	65
10:09	Jabari Smith Jr. loose ball foul	54	65
9:48	Rui Hachimura misses 13-foot jumper	54	65
9:47	Reed Sheppard defensive rebound	54	65
9:34	Deandre Ayton shooting foul	54	65
9:34	Amen Thompson misses free throw 1 of 2	54	65
9:34	Rockets offensive team rebound	54	65
9:34	Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2	55	65
9:19	LeBron James misses two point shot	55	65
9:17	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	55	65
9:11	Jabari Smith Jr. makes two point shot (Tari Eason assists)	57	65
8:42	shot clock turnover	57	65
8:25	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 25-foot three point jumper	57	65
8:24	LeBron James defensive rebound	57	65
8:09	Marcus Smart misses 22-foot three point jumper	57	65
8:08	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	57	65
8:02	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 17-foot running jump shot (Amen Thompson assists)	59	65
8:02	Lakers Full timeout	59	65
7:44	Deandre Ayton makes alley oop layup (Marcus Smart assists)	59	67
7:28	Reed Sheppard misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot	59	67
7:26	LeBron James defensive rebound	59	67
7:18	Marcus Smart misses 25-foot three point jumper	59	67
7:17	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	59	67
7:07	Reed Sheppard makes 2-foot two point shot	61	67
7:07	Rui Hachimura shooting foul	61	67
7:07	Reed Sheppard makes free throw 1 of 1	62	67
6:54	LeBron James misses driving layup	62	67
6:53	Deandre Ayton offensive rebound	62	67
6:51	Deandre Ayton bad pass turnover (Amen Thompson steals)	62	67
6:48	Amen Thompson makes 3-foot running dunk	64	67
6:28	Rui Hachimura misses 23-foot three point jumper	64	67
6:27	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	64	67
6:19	Reed Sheppard lost ball turnover (Marcus Smart steals)	64	67
6:16	Amen Thompson shooting foul	64	67
6:16	LeBron James makes free throw 1 of 2	64	68
6:16	Jake LaRavia enters the game for Marcus Smart	64	68
6:16	LeBron James misses free throw 2 of 2	64	68
6:16	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	64	68
6:04	Dorian Finney-Smith enters the game for Tari Eason	64	68
6:04	Jeff Green enters the game for Alperen Sengun	64	68
5:58	Jeff Green bad pass turnover (Jake LaRavia steals)	64	68
5:53	Rui Hachimura misses 23-foot running jump shot	64	68
5:52	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	64	68
5:43	Dorian Finney-Smith misses 25-foot three point jumper	64	68
5:42	LeBron James defensive rebound	64	68
5:34	Luke Kennard makes 13-foot pullup jump shot (LeBron James assists)	64	70
5:23	Reed Sheppard misses 27-foot three point pullup jump shot	64	70
5:22	Amen Thompson offensive rebound	64	70
5:20	Amen Thompson makes 2-foot dunk	66	70
5:02	Reed Sheppard blocks Jake LaRavia 's 9-foot turnaround jump shot	66	70
5:00	Reed Sheppard defensive rebound	66	70
4:57	Dorian Finney-Smith misses 23-foot running jump shot	66	70
4:55	LeBron James defensive rebound	66	70
4:41	Alperen Sengun enters the game for Jabari Smith Jr.	66	70
4:41	Jaxson Hayes enters the game for Deandre Ayton	66	70
4:34	LeBron James out of bounds bad pass turnover	66	70
4:10	Alperen Sengun misses 17-foot fade away jump shot	66	70
4:10	Rockets offensive team rebound	66	70
4:10	shot clock turnover	66	70
3:54	LeBron James bad pass turnover (Reed Sheppard steals)	66	70
3:47	Dorian Finney-Smith misses 23-foot three point jumper	66	70
3:45	Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound	66	70
3:45	Jaxson Hayes lost ball turnover (Amen Thompson steals)	66	70
3:37	Jeff Green misses two point shot	66	70
3:37	Rockets offensive team rebound	66	70
3:35	Tari Eason enters the game for Dorian Finney-Smith	66	70
3:35	Marcus Smart enters the game for Jake LaRavia	66	70
3:35	Jarred Vanderbilt enters the game for LeBron James	66	70
3:33	Reed Sheppard misses 23-foot three point jumper	66	70
3:32	Amen Thompson offensive rebound	66	70
3:30	Amen Thompson makes two point shot	68	70
3:30	Jarred Vanderbilt shooting foul	68	70
3:30	Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 1	69	70
3:10	Rui Hachimura makes 24-foot three point jumper (Luke Kennard assists)	69	73
2:53	Alperen Sengun misses driving layup	69	73
2:52	Jarred Vanderbilt defensive rebound	69	73
2:41	Reed Sheppard shooting foul	69	73
2:41	Rockets Full timeout	69	73
2:41	Aaron Holiday enters the game for Reed Sheppard	69	73
2:41	Marcus Smart misses free throw 1 of 2	69	73
2:41	Lakers offensive team rebound	69	73
2:41	Marcus Smart makes free throw 2 of 2	69	74
2:23	Alperen Sengun makes 10-foot two point shot	71	74
1:59	Luke Kennard bad pass turnover (Tari Eason steals)	71	74
1:56	Tari Eason lost ball turnover (Marcus Smart steals)	71	74
1:53	Luke Kennard bad pass turnover (Alperen Sengun steals)	71	74
1:42	Marcus Smart personal foul	71	74
1:42	LeBron James enters the game for Luke Kennard	71	74
1:37	Marcus Smart blocks Amen Thompson 's 5-foot layup	71	74
1:36	LeBron James defensive rebound	71	74
1:32	Jeff Green shooting foul	71	74
1:32	(01:32) [Lakers] REF-INITIATED REVIEW (CALL STANDS)	71	74
1:32	Jaxson Hayes misses free throw 1 of 2	71	74
1:32	Lakers offensive team rebound	71	74
1:32	Jaxson Hayes makes free throw 2 of 2	71	75
1:15	Jeff Green misses 25-foot three point jumper	71	75
1:14	Jarred Vanderbilt defensive rebound	71	75
59.1	LeBron James makes 28-foot three point jumper (Marcus Smart assists)	71	78
41.3	Alperen Sengun makes 5-foot two point shot	73	78
30.3	Jarred Vanderbilt makes 1-foot reverse layup (Marcus Smart assists)	73	80
11.6	Amen Thompson makes 16-foot pullup jump shot	75	80
2.6	LeBron James misses 33-foot three point pullup jump shot	75	80
0.7	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	75	80
0.0	End of the 3rd Quarter	75	80

4th Quarter

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
12:00	Jabari Smith Jr. enters the game for Aaron Holiday	75	80
12:00	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Amen Thompson	75	80
12:00	Bronny James enters the game for Rui Hachimura	75	80
12:00	Luke Kennard enters the game for Marcus Smart	75	80
11:35	LeBron James makes layup (Jarred Vanderbilt assists)	75	82
11:13	Reed Sheppard misses two point shot	75	82
11:12	Jarred Vanderbilt defensive rebound	75	82
10:57	Jarred Vanderbilt misses 23-foot three point jumper	75	82
10:56	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	75	82
10:43	Tari Eason misses 25-foot three point jumper	75	82
10:42	LeBron James defensive rebound	75	82
10:33	Alperen Sengun shooting foul	75	82
10:33	Jarred Vanderbilt makes free throw 1 of 2	75	83
10:33	Amen Thompson enters the game for Jeff Green	75	83
10:33	Deandre Ayton enters the game for Jaxson Hayes	75	83
10:33	Jarred Vanderbilt misses free throw 2 of 2	75	83
10:33	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	75	83
10:14	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 26-foot three point jumper (Amen Thompson assists)	78	83
9:55	LeBron James bad pass turnover (Reed Sheppard steals)	78	83
9:39	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 15-foot pullup jump shot	78	83
9:38	Amen Thompson offensive rebound	78	83
9:34	Tari Eason misses 25-foot three point jumper	78	83
9:32	LeBron James defensive rebound	78	83
9:25	Reed Sheppard shooting foul	78	83
9:25	Luke Kennard makes free throw 1 of 2	78	84
9:25	Luke Kennard makes free throw 2 of 2	78	85
9:10	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 24-foot three point jumper (Reed Sheppard assists)	81	85
8:47	LeBron James misses 18-foot fade away jump shot	81	85
8:46	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	81	85
8:32	Marcus Smart enters the game for Jarred Vanderbilt	81	85
8:32	Rui Hachimura enters the game for Bronny James	81	85
8:28	LeBron James vs. Alperen Sengun (Jabari Smith Jr. gains possession)	81	85
8:23	Deandre Ayton personal foul	81	85
8:09	Alperen Sengun makes 13-foot two point shot	83	85
7:32	LeBron James lost ball turnover (Tari Eason steals)	83	85
7:28	LeBron James vs. Reed Sheppard (Marcus Smart gains possession)	83	85
7:28	Reed Sheppard lost ball turnover (LeBron James steals)	83	85
7:10	LeBron James makes 2-foot two point shot	83	87
6:52	Alperen Sengun misses 11-foot two point shot	83	87
6:50	Alperen Sengun offensive rebound	83	87
6:50	Alperen Sengun misses tip shot	83	87
6:50	Alperen Sengun offensive rebound	83	87
6:50	Marcus Smart personal foul	83	87
6:50	Rockets Full timeout	83	87
6:45	Amen Thompson makes 3-foot dunk (Alperen Sengun assists)	85	87
6:25	Reed Sheppard blocks Marcus Smart 's 10-foot driving floating jump shot	85	87
6:22	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	85	87
6:21	Amen Thompson makes running layup (Alperen Sengun assists)	87	87
6:04	Marcus Smart makes 9-foot two point shot	87	89
5:38	Tari Eason misses 9-foot jumper	87	89
5:37	Alperen Sengun offensive rebound	87	89
5:37	Alperen Sengun makes tip shot	89	89
5:15	Marcus Smart makes 3-foot two point shot	89	91
4:59	Reed Sheppard makes 25-foot three point jumper (Alperen Sengun assists)	92	91
4:59	Lakers Full timeout	92	91
4:59	Jaxson Hayes enters the game for Deandre Ayton	92	91
4:37	Alperen Sengun blocks Jaxson Hayes 's 3-foot driving dunk	92	91
4:36	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	92	91
4:31	Rui Hachimura shooting foul	92	91
4:31	Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2	93	91
4:31	Amen Thompson misses free throw 2 of 2	93	91
4:31	Rui Hachimura defensive rebound	93	91
4:12	Jaxson Hayes misses driving layup	93	91
4:11	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	93	91
3:47	Alperen Sengun makes 2-foot two point shot (Reed Sheppard assists)	95	91
3:32	Reed Sheppard personal foul	95	91
3:32	Lakers Full timeout	95	91
3:22	LeBron James misses 13-foot two point shot	95	91
3:21	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	95	91
2:57	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 27-foot three point jumper	95	91
2:55	LeBron James defensive rebound	95	91
2:48	Luke Kennard misses 25-foot running jump shot	95	91
2:47	Jaxson Hayes offensive rebound	95	91
2:47	Jaxson Hayes makes tip in dunk	95	93
2:23	Alperen Sengun makes 3-foot driving dunk (Reed Sheppard assists)	97	93
2:11	LeBron James makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (Marcus Smart assists)	97	95
1:46	Jaxson Hayes blocks Amen Thompson 's 9-foot driving layup	97	95
1:45	Luke Kennard defensive rebound	97	95
1:42	Luke Kennard misses 25-foot running jump shot	97	95
1:41	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	97	95
1:16	Jaxson Hayes blocks Reed Sheppard 's 2-foot two point shot	97	95
1:15	Luke Kennard defensive rebound	97	95
59.6	LeBron James bad pass turnover (Jabari Smith Jr. steals)	97	95
49.6	Alperen Sengun makes 3-foot two point shot (Reed Sheppard assists)	99	95
49.6	Lakers Full timeout	99	95
49.6	Jae'Sean Tate enters the game for Reed Sheppard	99	95
43.1	LeBron James bad pass turnover (Alperen Sengun steals)	99	95
40.6	Alperen Sengun makes 3-foot running dunk	101	95
36.4	LeBron James misses 27-foot three point pullup jump shot	101	95
36.4	Jaxson Hayes offensive rebound	101	95
34.8	Jaxson Hayes misses 2-foot tip shot	101	95
34.4	Jae'Sean Tate defensive rebound	101	95
27.8	Jabari Smith Jr. bad pass turnover (Marcus Smart steals)	101	95
25.4	Jae'Sean Tate shooting foul	101	95
25.4	Marcus Smart makes free throw 1 of 3	101	96
25.4	Marcus Smart makes free throw 2 of 3	101	97
25.4	Marcus Smart makes free throw 3 of 3	101	98
25.4	Rockets Full timeout	101	98
25.4	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Jae'Sean Tate	101	98
25.4	Jarred Vanderbilt enters the game for Jaxson Hayes	101	98
19.8	Reed Sheppard lost ball turnover (LeBron James steals)	101	98
13.6	LeBron James makes 24-foot running jump shot (Luke Kennard assists)	101	101
13.1	Rockets Full timeout	101	101
13.1	Jaxson Hayes enters the game for Luke Kennard	101	101
11.3	Rui Hachimura personal take foul	101	101
1.7	Alperen Sengun misses 7-foot two point shot	101	101
1.2	LeBron James defensive rebound	101	101
1.2	Lakers Full timeout	101	101
1.2	Jae'Sean Tate enters the game for Reed Sheppard	101	101
1.2	Luke Kennard enters the game for Jarred Vanderbilt	101	101
1.2	Nick Smith Jr. enters the game for Jaxson Hayes	101	101
0.0	LeBron James misses 26-foot three point shot	101	101
0.0	Lakers offensive team rebound	101	101
0.0	End of the 4th Quarter	101	101

OT

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
5:00	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Jae'Sean Tate	101	101
5:00	Deandre Ayton enters the game for Nick Smith Jr.	101	101
5:00	Deandre Ayton vs. Alperen Sengun (LeBron James gains possession)	101	101
4:50	Luke Kennard offensive foul	101	101
4:50	Luke Kennard offensive foul turnover	101	101
4:25	Deandre Ayton vs. Alperen Sengun (LeBron James gains possession)	101	101
4:25	Alperen Sengun lost ball turnover (LeBron James steals)	101	101
4:09	Marcus Smart makes 22-foot three point jumper (Rui Hachimura assists)	101	104
3:50	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 11-foot pullup jump shot	101	104
3:49	Luke Kennard defensive rebound	101	104
3:42	Reed Sheppard shooting foul	101	104
3:42	Rui Hachimura misses free throw 1 of 2	101	104
3:42	Lakers offensive team rebound	101	104
3:42	Rui Hachimura makes free throw 2 of 2	101	105
3:24	Alperen Sengun makes driving layup	103	105
2:54	LeBron James misses 26-foot three point step back jumpshot	103	105
2:50	Rui Hachimura offensive rebound	103	105
2:35	Rui Hachimura makes driving layup (LeBron James assists)	103	107
2:19	Luke Kennard personal foul	103	107
2:09	Alperen Sengun makes 11-foot two point shot	105	107
1:39	LeBron James misses driving layup	105	107
1:35	Reed Sheppard defensive rebound	105	107
1:29	Reed Sheppard misses running pullup jump shot	105	107
1:26	Reed Sheppard offensive rebound	105	107
1:20	LeBron James blocks Alperen Sengun 's 5-foot driving layup	105	107
1:18	LeBron James defensive rebound	105	107
1:14	LeBron James vs. Jabari Smith Jr. (Deandre Ayton gains possession)	105	107
53.9	LeBron James misses 26-foot three point jumper	105	107
52.4	Marcus Smart offensive rebound	105	107
52.4	Tari Eason shooting foul	105	107
52.4	Marcus Smart makes free throw 1 of 2	105	108
52.4	Marcus Smart makes free throw 2 of 2	105	109
37.6	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 22-foot three point step back jumpshot	105	109
35.5	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	105	109
35.5	Amen Thompson personal foul	105	109
35.5	Marcus Smart technical foul	105	109
35.5	Reed Sheppard misses technical free throw	105	109
35.5	Lakers defensive team rebound	105	109
35.5	Marcus Smart makes free throw 1 of 2	105	110
35.5	Marcus Smart makes free throw 2 of 2	105	111
35.5	Rockets Full timeout	105	111
34.0	Reed Sheppard misses 22-foot three point jumper	105	111
30.8	Alperen Sengun offensive rebound	105	111
28.6	Reed Sheppard makes 25-foot three pointer (Jabari Smith Jr. assists)	108	111
24.5	Tari Eason personal take foul	108	111
24.5	Marcus Smart makes free throw 1 of 2	108	112
24.5	Marcus Smart misses free throw 2 of 2	108	112
24.5	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	108	112
11.9	Alperen Sengun misses 25-foot three point jumper	108	112
9.4	Lakers defensive team rebound	108	112
9.4	Lakers Full timeout	108	112
7.4	Lakers Full timeout	108	112
6.8	LeBron James bad pass turnover (Reed Sheppard steals)	108	112
3.9	Rockets Full timeout	108	112
3.9	Jarred Vanderbilt enters the game for Deandre Ayton	108	112
2.0	Tari Eason misses 26-foot turnaround jump shot	108	112
0.7	Rui Hachimura defensive rebound	108	112
0.0	End of the 1st Overtime	108	112
0.0	End of Game	108	112

Time, Location & Referees

Game Information

Venue

Toyota Center (Houston)

Houston, TX

Date & Time

12:00 AM, April 25, 2026

Coverage

Prime Video

Attendance

18,055

Referees

Zach Zarba, Tre Maddox, Nate Green, Ray Acosta

2025-26 Pacific Standings

TEAM	W	L	PCT	STRK
LA Lakers	53	29	.646	W3
Phoenix	45	37	.549	W1
LA Clippers	42	40	.512	W1
Golden State	37	45	.451	L3
Sacramento	22	60	.268	L1

2025-26 Southwest Standings

TEAM	W	L	PCT	STRK
San Antonio	62	20	.756	L1
Houston	52	30	.634	W1
New Orleans	26	56	.317	L2
Dallas	26	56	.317	W1
Memphis	25	57	.305	L8

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James makes tying 3 as Lakers storm back late, win in OT and take a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets

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