Game Center

LAL

Lakers

98-78

Final

HOU

Rockets

Lakers’ ruthless 27-3 surge buries Rockets 98-78 in Game 6, sets up Thunder series

By AP•May 2, 2026

Game Recap

LeBron James stuffs the stat sheet for the Lakers with 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to close out the Rockets.

HOUSTON -- — LeBron James had 28 points and the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston with a 98-78 win in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Friday night by holding the Rockets to a season low in points.

The No. 4 seed Lakers move on to meet the top-seeded Thunder with Game 1 Tuesday in Oklahoma City.

Los Angeles has advanced to the second round for the first time since 2023 when it lost to Denver in the West finals despite missing top scorer Luka Doncic for the entire series.

“For us to be written off a few weeks ago and win a playoff series is a big deal,” coach JJ Redick said.

The Lakers used a 27-3 run in the first half to take an 18-point lead at halftime. They led by 22 with about three minutes left in the third quarter before Houston went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 71-55 entering the fourth.

But Los Angeles opened the quarter with a 10-3 spurt, with five points from Rui Hachimura, to make it 81-58 with about seven minutes left.

“In order for us to win we had to protect the ball, we had to rebound and we had to be physical, make them take tough shots,” James said. “I thought defensively we came in with a great game plan and we executed that thing to a T.”

Hachimura added 21 points with five 3-pointers.

Redick raved about what James meant to his team not only Friday night but throughout the season.

“He just has this ability to set the tone for the entire group and he did that again tonight and our guys responded,” Redick said.

Amen Thompson had 18 points and Alperen Sengun added 17 for Houston, which is heading home after a first-round playoff loss for a second straight season after losing to the Warriors in seven games last year.

“Everybody’s disappointed, no doubt," coach Ime Udoka said. “Not what we expected coming into the game tonight or the series in general. We all thought that we'd be taking it back for a Game 7."

The fifth-seeded Rockets had won two straight after falling into an 0-3 hole. They forced Game 6 despite missing superstar Kevin Durant for all but one game of this series because of a knee injury followed by an ankle issue.

But they were felled by poor shooting Friday, making just 35% overall and were particularly bad from long range. After making 26 3-pointers combined in the last two games, the Rockets made just 5 of 28 3-pointers Friday with Reed Sheppard going 1 for 10.

The Lakers trailed by 5 with five minutes left in the first before using a 27-3 run to take a 38-19 lead with about seven minutes left in the second quarter. Hachimura, Jake LaRavia and James all made 3-pointers in that stretch to help Los Angeles build the lead on a night the Lakers made 12 3s.

The Rockets couldn’t get anything going early in the second quarter. They got one free throw from Sheppard but missed 11 shots before he made the team’s first field goal in the period with 6:55 left before halftime.

That didn't spark anything for Houston and the Lakers led 49-31 at halftime.

Austin Reaves added 15 points for the Lakers in his second game back after missing more than three weeks with an oblique injury and Deandre Ayton had seven points and 16 rebounds.

------

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/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 win series 4-2

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

36-89FG28-80

40Field Goal %35

12-283PT5-28

43Three Point %18

14-24FT17-24

15Offensive Rebounds8

39Defensive Rebounds37

19Assists13

4Steals6

9Blocks9

10Turnovers11

1Technical Fouls0

10Points Conceded Off Turnovers19

19Fast Break Points8

19Fouls23

29Largest Lead5

Match Leaders

Recent plays and game events

Play By Play

1st Quarter

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
12:00	Deandre Ayton vs. Alperen Sengun (Reed Sheppard gains possession)	0	0
11:43	Tari Eason makes 24-foot three point jumper (Reed Sheppard assists)	3	0
11:21	LeBron James makes 2-foot two point shot	3	2
10:57	Amen Thompson misses 21-foot jumper	3	2
10:57	Lakers defensive team rebound	3	2
10:45	Amen Thompson blocks Austin Reaves 's 9-foot driving floating jump shot	3	2
10:44	Rui Hachimura offensive rebound	3	2
10:39	Alperen Sengun blocks Deandre Ayton 's 9-foot two point shot	3	2
10:38	Tari Eason defensive rebound	3	2
10:32	Reed Sheppard misses 29-foot running jump shot	3	2
10:31	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	3	2
10:23	Rui Hachimura makes layup (LeBron James assists)	3	4
10:09	Tari Eason makes 2-foot layup (Amen Thompson assists)	5	4
9:56	Marcus Smart misses 16-foot step back jumpshot	5	4
9:55	Tari Eason defensive rebound	5	4
9:50	Amen Thompson makes running layup	7	4
9:50	Austin Reaves shooting foul	7	4
9:50	Amen Thompson misses free throw 1 of 1	7	4
9:50	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	7	4
9:28	Jabari Smith Jr. personal foul	7	4
9:18	Marcus Smart misses driving floating jump shot	7	4
9:17	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	7	4
9:05	Tari Eason misses 23-foot three point jumper	7	4
9:04	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	7	4
8:54	LeBron James makes driving layup (Rui Hachimura assists)	7	6
8:41	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 23-foot three point jumper (Amen Thompson assists)	10	6
8:25	Austin Reaves makes 7-foot two point shot	10	8
8:12	Reed Sheppard misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot	10	8
8:10	Rui Hachimura defensive rebound	10	8
8:02	LeBron James misses two point shot	10	8
8:01	Deandre Ayton offensive rebound	10	8
8:01	Deandre Ayton misses tip shot	10	8
8:00	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	10	8
7:52	Reed Sheppard misses 23-foot three point jumper	10	8
7:51	Austin Reaves defensive rebound	10	8
7:29	Tari Eason shooting foul	10	8
7:29	Deandre Ayton makes free throw 1 of 2	10	9
7:29	Deandre Ayton misses free throw 2 of 2	10	9
7:29	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	10	9
7:14	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 25-foot three point jumper	10	9
7:13	Rui Hachimura defensive rebound	10	9
7:05	LeBron James misses 4-foot reverse layup	10	9
7:04	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	10	9
7:00	Austin Reaves blocks Amen Thompson 's 5-foot running layup	10	9
6:59	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	10	9
6:53	Rui Hachimura makes 2-foot running dunk (LeBron James assists)	10	11
6:29	Alperen Sengun makes 3-foot two point shot	12	11
6:16	Reed Sheppard blocks Rui Hachimura 's 6-foot driving layup	12	11
6:15	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	12	11
6:12	Tari Eason makes 3-foot running dunk (Amen Thompson assists)	14	11
6:11	Lakers Full timeout	14	11
6:11	Josh Okogie enters the game for Amen Thompson	14	11
6:11	Luke Kennard enters the game for Marcus Smart	14	11
5:58	Luke Kennard misses 19-foot pullup jump shot	14	11
5:57	Josh Okogie defensive rebound	14	11
5:42	Rui Hachimura blocks Jabari Smith Jr. 's 3-foot layup	14	11
5:42	Luke Kennard defensive rebound	14	11
5:34	Rui Hachimura misses 25-foot three point jumper	14	11
5:32	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	14	11
5:13	Alperen Sengun makes 1-foot two point shot	16	11
4:51	Austin Reaves makes 10-foot two point shot	16	13
4:51	Tari Eason shooting foul	16	13
4:51	Amen Thompson enters the game for Tari Eason	16	13
4:51	Austin Reaves makes free throw 1 of 1	16	14
4:29	Alperen Sengun misses 4-foot two point shot	16	14
4:28	Austin Reaves defensive rebound	16	14
4:23	Luke Kennard makes 22-foot running jump shot (LeBron James assists)	16	17
3:53	Reed Sheppard misses driving floating jump shot	16	17
3:52	LeBron James defensive rebound	16	17
3:49	Jaxson Hayes enters the game for Deandre Ayton	16	17
3:49	Jake LaRavia enters the game for LeBron James	16	17
3:31	Jake LaRavia makes 23-foot three point jumper (Austin Reaves assists)	16	20
3:07	Jabari Smith Jr. misses driving floating jump shot	16	20
3:04	Jake LaRavia defensive rebound	16	20
2:56	Jake LaRavia lost ball turnover (Reed Sheppard steals)	16	20
2:50	Amen Thompson out of bounds bad pass turnover	16	20
2:50	Rockets Full timeout	16	20
2:50	Dorian Finney-Smith enters the game for Reed Sheppard	16	20
2:50	Aaron Holiday enters the game for Alperen Sengun	16	20
2:50	Marcus Smart enters the game for Austin Reaves	16	20
2:34	Rui Hachimura makes 24-foot three point jumper (Luke Kennard assists)	16	23
2:18	Jaxson Hayes shooting foul	16	23
2:18	Jabari Smith Jr. makes free throw 1 of 3	17	23
2:18	Jabari Smith Jr. makes free throw 2 of 3	18	23
2:18	Jabari Smith Jr. misses free throw 3 of 3	18	23
2:18	Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound	18	23
1:57	Amen Thompson blocks Rui Hachimura 's 3-foot layup	18	23
1:56	Rockets defensive team rebound	18	23
1:56	Jake LaRavia loose ball foul	18	23
1:56	LeBron James enters the game for Rui Hachimura	18	23
1:39	Josh Okogie offensive charge	18	23
1:39	Josh Okogie offensive foul turnover	18	23
1:22	Luke Kennard misses 11-foot fade away jump shot	18	23
1:20	Lakers offensive team rebound	18	23
1:20	Aaron Holiday loose ball foul	18	23
1:07	Jake LaRavia misses 23-foot three point jumper	18	23
1:06	Josh Okogie defensive rebound	18	23
1:02	Josh Okogie lost ball turnover (Marcus Smart steals)	18	23
58.8	Marcus Smart misses 25-foot three point jumper	18	23
57.8	Jaxson Hayes offensive rebound	18	23
50.6	LeBron James misses 23-foot three point jumper	18	23
48.4	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	18	23
24.8	Jaxson Hayes blocks Dorian Finney-Smith 's 6-foot layup	18	23
24.6	Rockets offensive team rebound	18	23
24.6	shot clock turnover	18	23
24.6	Alperen Sengun enters the game for Dorian Finney-Smith	18	23
24.6	Austin Reaves enters the game for Jake LaRavia	18	23
0.5	LeBron James misses 12-foot two point shot	18	23
0.2	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	18	23
0.0	End of the 1st Quarter	18	23

2nd Quarter

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
12:00	Tari Eason enters the game for Aaron Holiday	18	23
12:00	Dorian Finney-Smith enters the game for Jabari Smith Jr.	18	23
12:00	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Josh Okogie	18	23
12:00	Jake LaRavia enters the game for Austin Reaves	18	23
11:48	Jaxson Hayes offensive foul	18	23
11:48	Jaxson Hayes offensive foul turnover	18	23
11:24	Alperen Sengun misses 12-foot two point shot	18	23
11:24	Rockets offensive team rebound	18	23
11:24	shot clock turnover	18	23
11:09	LeBron James makes 10-foot two point shot	18	25
10:54	Reed Sheppard misses 17-foot pullup jump shot	18	25
10:53	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	18	25
10:47	Jake LaRavia makes two point shot (LeBron James assists)	18	27
10:30	Dorian Finney-Smith offensive charge	18	27
10:30	Dorian Finney-Smith offensive foul turnover	18	27
10:19	LeBron James makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot	18	30
9:58	Reed Sheppard misses driving floating jump shot	18	30
9:57	Jake LaRavia defensive rebound	18	30
9:48	Jabari Smith Jr. enters the game for Dorian Finney-Smith	18	30
9:48	Marcus Smart out of bounds lost ball turnover	18	30
9:36	Alperen Sengun misses layup	18	30
9:35	Alperen Sengun offensive rebound	18	30
9:35	Alperen Sengun misses tip shot	18	30
9:34	LeBron James defensive rebound	18	30
9:26	LeBron James makes 4-foot two point shot	18	32
9:26	Rockets Full timeout	18	32
9:10	Marcus Smart defensive 3-seconds (technical foul)	18	32
9:10	Reed Sheppard makes technical free throw	19	32
9:04	Reed Sheppard misses 28-foot three point pullup jump shot	19	32
9:02	Jaxson Hayes defensive rebound	19	32
8:59	Jake LaRavia makes 2-foot running dunk (Jaxson Hayes assists)	19	34
8:46	Jake LaRavia blocks Tari Eason 's 4-foot driving layup	19	34
8:45	Rockets offensive team rebound	19	34
8:42	Jake LaRavia vs. Tari Eason (Alperen Sengun gains possession)	19	34
8:33	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 23-foot three point jumper	19	34
8:31	Lakers defensive team rebound	19	34
8:18	Jabari Smith Jr. shooting foul	19	34
8:18	Jaxson Hayes makes free throw 1 of 2	19	35
8:18	Austin Reaves enters the game for Luke Kennard	19	35
8:18	Rui Hachimura enters the game for Marcus Smart	19	35
8:18	Jaxson Hayes makes free throw 2 of 2	19	36
8:09	Amen Thompson misses driving layup	19	36
8:07	LeBron James defensive rebound	19	36
8:02	LeBron James makes running layup	19	38
7:50	LeBron James personal foul	19	38
7:50	Deandre Ayton enters the game for Jaxson Hayes	19	38
7:39	Reed Sheppard misses two point shot	19	38
7:38	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	19	38
7:31	LeBron James out of bounds lost ball turnover	19	38
7:21	Tari Eason misses 9-foot step back jumpshot	19	38
7:20	Rui Hachimura defensive rebound	19	38
7:14	Austin Reaves out of bounds lost ball turnover	19	38
7:02	Deandre Ayton personal foul	19	38
6:55	Reed Sheppard makes driving layup (Jabari Smith Jr. assists)	21	38
6:46	Jake LaRavia misses driving layup	21	38
6:45	Rockets defensive team rebound	21	38
6:28	Reed Sheppard makes 13-foot floating jump shot	23	38
6:13	Rui Hachimura misses driving layup	23	38
6:12	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	23	38
6:10	Tari Eason misses 25-foot running jump shot	23	38
6:07	Jabari Smith Jr. offensive rebound	23	38
6:07	Jabari Smith Jr. makes tip in dunk	25	38
6:07	Lakers Full timeout	25	38
6:07	Luke Kennard enters the game for Jake LaRavia	25	38
5:49	Amen Thompson blocks LeBron James 's 3-foot layup	25	38
5:48	Rockets Coach's Challenge	25	38
5:48	(05:48) [Rockets] COACH'S CHALLENGE (CALL OVERTURNED) [Rockets] retain their timeout	25	38
5:48	Lakers offensive team rebound	25	38
5:48	Deandre Ayton vs. Alperen Sengun (Luke Kennard gains possession)	25	38
5:35	Alperen Sengun blocks Luke Kennard's driving layup	25	38
5:34	Lakers offensive team rebound	25	38
5:34	Marcus Smart enters the game for LeBron James	25	38
5:27	Austin Reaves misses 25-foot three point pullup jump shot	25	38
5:25	Luke Kennard offensive rebound	25	38
5:14	Austin Reaves makes 8-foot two point shot	25	40
4:58	Alperen Sengun bad pass turnover (Luke Kennard steals)	25	40
4:53	Austin Reaves misses running layup	25	40
4:52	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	25	40
4:52	Luke Kennard kicked ball violation	25	40
4:30	Reed Sheppard out of bounds bad pass turnover	25	40
4:14	Marcus Smart misses 23-foot three point jumper	25	40
4:12	Luke Kennard offensive rebound	25	40
4:05	Austin Reaves misses two point shot	25	40
4:04	Deandre Ayton offensive rebound	25	40
4:02	Deandre Ayton misses 2-foot two point shot	25	40
4:01	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	25	40
3:43	Alperen Sengun makes 3-foot two point shot	27	40
3:31	Amen Thompson personal foul	27	40
3:31	LeBron James enters the game for Rui Hachimura	27	40
3:25	Tari Eason shooting foul	27	40
3:25	LeBron James makes free throw 1 of 2	27	41
3:25	Josh Okogie enters the game for Tari Eason	27	41
3:25	LeBron James makes free throw 2 of 2	27	42
3:11	Deandre Ayton shooting foul	27	42
3:11	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 2	28	42
3:11	Aaron Holiday enters the game for Reed Sheppard	28	42
3:11	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 2 of 2	29	42
2:47	LeBron James misses driving floating jump shot	29	42
2:46	Lakers offensive team rebound	29	42
2:46	shot clock turnover	29	42
2:37	Amen Thompson makes driving layup	31	42
2:37	Austin Reaves shooting foul	31	42
2:37	Rui Hachimura enters the game for Luke Kennard	31	42
2:37	Amen Thompson misses free throw 1 of 1	31	42
2:37	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	31	42
2:14	Alperen Sengun shooting foul	31	42
2:14	LeBron James misses free throw 1 of 2	31	42
2:14	Lakers offensive team rebound	31	42
2:14	LeBron James misses free throw 2 of 2	31	42
2:14	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	31	42
2:07	Marcus Smart vs. Alperen Sengun (Marcus Smart gains possession)	31	42
2:03	Alperen Sengun lost ball turnover (Marcus Smart steals)	31	42
1:53	Jabari Smith Jr. shooting foul	31	42
1:53	Deandre Ayton makes free throw 1 of 2	31	43
1:53	Deandre Ayton misses free throw 2 of 2	31	43
1:53	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	31	43
1:35	Austin Reaves blocks Amen Thompson 's 5-foot driving layup	31	43
1:35	Rockets offensive team rebound	31	43
1:29	Deandre Ayton blocks Alperen Sengun 's 13-foot two point shot	31	43
1:29	Rockets offensive team rebound	31	43
1:29	shot clock turnover	31	43
1:15	Rui Hachimura makes 25-foot three point jumper (LeBron James assists)	31	46
1:00	Marcus Smart blocks Amen Thompson 's 5-foot driving layup	31	46
58.5	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	31	46
53.6	LeBron James makes 24-foot running pullup jump shot (Austin Reaves assists)	31	49
36.9	Josh Okogie misses 22-foot three point jumper	31	49
36.0	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	31	49
23.7	LeBron James misses 25-foot three point jumper	31	49
20.2	Aaron Holiday defensive rebound	31	49
0.6	Josh Okogie misses 8-foot jumper	31	49
0.5	Rockets offensive team rebound	31	49
0.0	End of the 2nd Quarter	31	49

3rd Quarter

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
12:00	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Aaron Holiday	31	49
12:00	Tari Eason enters the game for Josh Okogie	31	49
11:42	LeBron James makes 13-foot two point shot	31	51
11:21	Amen Thompson makes 12-foot fade away jump shot (Jabari Smith Jr. assists)	33	51
11:02	Austin Reaves misses 25-foot three point step back jumpshot	33	51
11:01	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	33	51
10:55	Jabari Smith Jr. misses running pullup jump shot	33	51
10:53	Rui Hachimura defensive rebound	33	51
10:37	LeBron James misses 26-foot three point jumper	33	51
10:36	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	33	51
10:23	Amen Thompson misses driving layup	33	51
10:23	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	33	51
10:15	Rui Hachimura makes 22-foot three point jumper (Marcus Smart assists)	33	54
9:50	Tari Eason makes 25-foot three point jumper (Alperen Sengun assists)	36	54
9:27	Austin Reaves makes 5-foot two point shot	36	56
9:15	Rui Hachimura shooting foul	36	56
9:15	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 2	37	56
9:15	Alperen Sengun misses free throw 2 of 2	37	56
9:15	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	37	56
8:58	LeBron James misses 7-foot two point shot	37	56
8:57	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	37	56
8:47	Alperen Sengun misses 7-foot two point shot	37	56
8:46	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	37	56
8:31	Deandre Ayton makes layup (LeBron James assists)	37	58
8:31	Reed Sheppard shooting foul	37	58
8:31	Deandre Ayton misses free throw 1 of 1	37	58
8:31	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	37	58
8:23	Marcus Smart personal foul	37	58
8:13	Reed Sheppard misses 22-foot three point jumper	37	58
8:10	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	37	58
8:06	Jabari Smith Jr. shooting foul	37	58
8:06	LeBron James makes free throw 1 of 2	37	59
8:06	LeBron James makes free throw 2 of 2	37	60
7:47	Tari Eason misses 14-foot fade away jump shot	37	60
7:45	Rui Hachimura defensive rebound	37	60
7:40	Jabari Smith Jr. blocks LeBron James 's 4-foot running dunk	37	60
7:40	Lakers offensive team rebound	37	60
7:30	LeBron James bad pass turnover (Reed Sheppard steals)	37	60
7:18	Reed Sheppard misses 23-foot three point jumper	37	60
7:17	Alperen Sengun offensive rebound	37	60
7:16	Austin Reaves blocks Alperen Sengun 's 5-foot driving layup	37	60
7:15	Amen Thompson offensive rebound	37	60
7:10	Amen Thompson misses two point shot	37	60
7:10	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	37	60
6:58	Deandre Ayton misses 7-foot two point shot	37	60
6:57	Alperen Sengun defensive rebound	37	60
6:44	LeBron James shooting foul	37	60
6:44	Rockets Full timeout	37	60
6:44	Jae'Sean Tate enters the game for Reed Sheppard	37	60
6:44	Aaron Holiday enters the game for Tari Eason	37	60
6:44	Luke Kennard enters the game for Marcus Smart	37	60
6:44	Alperen Sengun misses free throw 1 of 2	37	60
6:44	Rockets offensive team rebound	37	60
6:44	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 2 of 2	38	60
6:26	Rui Hachimura makes 25-foot three point jumper (Deandre Ayton assists)	38	63
6:07	Jae'Sean Tate misses 23-foot three point jumper	38	63
6:06	Lakers defensive team rebound	38	63
6:06	Amen Thompson loose ball foul	38	63
6:06	Tari Eason enters the game for Alperen Sengun	38	63
6:03	Luke Kennard bad pass turnover (Tari Eason steals)	38	63
6:02	Luke Kennard shooting foul	38	63
6:02	Tari Eason makes free throw 1 of 2	39	63
6:02	Tari Eason makes free throw 2 of 2	40	63
5:45	Austin Reaves makes 9-foot two point shot	40	65
5:31	Deandre Ayton shooting foul	40	65
5:31	Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2	41	65
5:31	Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2	42	65
5:10	LeBron James misses 13-foot turnaround jump shot	42	65
5:07	Tari Eason defensive rebound	42	65
4:48	Amen Thompson makes 3-foot dunk (Aaron Holiday assists)	44	65
4:30	Austin Reaves misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot	44	65
4:29	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	44	65
4:22	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 24-foot three point jumper	44	65
4:19	Jabari Smith Jr. offensive rebound	44	65
4:15	Austin Reaves shooting foul	44	65
4:15	Jae'Sean Tate misses free throw 1 of 2	44	65
4:15	Rockets offensive team rebound	44	65
4:15	Jake LaRavia enters the game for Austin Reaves	44	65
4:15	Marcus Smart enters the game for LeBron James	44	65
4:15	Jae'Sean Tate makes free throw 2 of 2	45	65
4:02	Amen Thompson shooting foul	45	65
4:02	Deandre Ayton misses free throw 1 of 2	45	65
4:02	Lakers offensive team rebound	45	65
4:02	Deandre Ayton makes free throw 2 of 2	45	66
3:46	Deandre Ayton shooting foul	45	66
3:46	Amen Thompson makes free throw 1 of 2	46	66
3:46	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Aaron Holiday	46	66
3:46	Alperen Sengun enters the game for Jae'Sean Tate	46	66
3:46	Jaxson Hayes enters the game for Deandre Ayton	46	66
3:46	Amen Thompson makes free throw 2 of 2	47	66
3:37	Amen Thompson shooting foul	47	66
3:37	Marcus Smart misses free throw 1 of 2	47	66
3:37	Lakers offensive team rebound	47	66
3:37	Austin Reaves enters the game for Rui Hachimura	47	66
3:37	Marcus Smart makes free throw 2 of 2	47	67
3:17	Marcus Smart blocks Tari Eason 's 2-foot dunk	47	67
3:15	Austin Reaves defensive rebound	47	67
2:53	Austin Reaves makes 6-foot two point shot	47	69
2:27	Jabari Smith Jr. makes 4-foot two point shot	49	69
2:03	Austin Reaves makes driving layup	49	71
1:43	Amen Thompson makes 22-foot jumper (Tari Eason assists)	51	71
1:42	Lakers Full timeout	51	71
1:42	Josh Okogie enters the game for Jabari Smith Jr.	51	71
1:32	Luke Kennard misses 25-foot three point pullup jump shot	51	71
1:30	Jake LaRavia offensive rebound	51	71
1:27	Jake LaRavia lost ball turnover (Tari Eason steals)	51	71
1:15	Tari Eason misses 24-foot three point jumper	51	71
1:13	Josh Okogie offensive rebound	51	71
1:06	Jake LaRavia shooting foul	51	71
1:06	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 2	52	71
1:06	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 2 of 2	53	71
51.8	Austin Reaves misses 29-foot three point jumper	53	71
50.8	Tari Eason defensive rebound	53	71
37.5	Alperen Sengun makes 10-foot two point shot (Josh Okogie assists)	55	71
28.6	Austin Reaves lost ball turnover (Josh Okogie steals)	55	71
24.9	Alperen Sengun offensive charge	55	71
24.9	Alperen Sengun offensive foul turnover	55	71
24.9	Rockets Full timeout	55	71
24.9	(00:24.9) [Rockets] COACH'S CHALLENGE (CALL STANDS) [Rockets] charged with a timeout	55	71
24.9	Aaron Holiday enters the game for Reed Sheppard	55	71
24.9	LeBron James enters the game for Jake LaRavia	55	71
24.9	Jae'Sean Tate enters the game for Alperen Sengun	55	71
1.8	LeBron James misses 13-foot two point shot	55	71
0.7	Jae'Sean Tate defensive rebound	55	71
0.0	End of the 3rd Quarter	55	71

4th Quarter

TIME	PLAY	HOU	LAL
12:00	Reed Sheppard enters the game for Josh Okogie	55	71
12:00	Jabari Smith Jr. enters the game for Jae'Sean Tate	55	71
12:00	Dorian Finney-Smith enters the game for Aaron Holiday	55	71
12:00	Deandre Ayton enters the game for Jaxson Hayes	55	71
12:00	Rui Hachimura enters the game for Austin Reaves	55	71
11:42	Reed Sheppard misses two point shot	55	71
11:41	LeBron James defensive rebound	55	71
11:35	Rui Hachimura makes 25-foot three point jumper (Luke Kennard assists)	55	74
11:20	Reed Sheppard makes 9-foot jumper (Jabari Smith Jr. assists)	57	74
10:51	LeBron James makes 4-foot two point shot	57	76
10:36	Tari Eason misses 23-foot three point step back jumpshot	57	76
10:34	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	57	76
10:20	Luke Kennard misses 13-foot fade away jump shot	57	76
10:19	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	57	76
10:14	Dorian Finney-Smith misses 24-foot running jump shot	57	76
10:12	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	57	76
9:56	Rui Hachimura misses 25-foot three point jumper	57	76
9:53	Marcus Smart offensive rebound	57	76
9:40	LeBron James misses 6-foot two point shot	57	76
9:38	Tari Eason defensive rebound	57	76
9:28	Luke Kennard kicked ball violation	57	76
9:21	Jabari Smith Jr. misses 26-foot three point jumper	57	76
9:20	Marcus Smart defensive rebound	57	76
9:07	Rui Hachimura misses 10-foot pullup jump shot	57	76
9:06	LeBron James offensive rebound	57	76
9:06	LeBron James misses tip shot	57	76
9:05	Deandre Ayton offensive rebound	57	76
9:05	Deandre Ayton makes tip shot	57	78
8:52	Deandre Ayton personal foul	57	78
8:52	Alperen Sengun enters the game for Dorian Finney-Smith	57	78
8:46	Rui Hachimura shooting foul	57	78
8:46	Alperen Sengun makes free throw 1 of 2	58	78
8:46	Alperen Sengun misses free throw 2 of 2	58	78
8:46	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	58	78
8:22	LeBron James misses 10-foot two point shot	58	78
8:21	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	58	78
8:13	Reed Sheppard misses 25-foot three point jumper	58	78
8:11	Deandre Ayton defensive rebound	58	78
8:05	Reed Sheppard personal foul	58	78
8:05	Jaxson Hayes enters the game for Deandre Ayton	58	78
7:54	Marcus Smart misses two point shot	58	78
7:53	Jaxson Hayes offensive rebound	58	78
7:53	Alperen Sengun shooting foul	58	78
7:53	Jaxson Hayes makes free throw 1 of 2	58	79
7:53	Jaxson Hayes misses free throw 2 of 2	58	79
7:53	Amen Thompson defensive rebound	58	79
7:41	Amen Thompson out of bounds bad pass turnover	58	79
7:21	Alperen Sengun personal foul	58	79
7:21	Austin Reaves enters the game for Marcus Smart	58	79
7:09	Rui Hachimura makes 14-foot turnaround jump shot	58	81
7:02	Reed Sheppard misses 28-foot three point pullup jump shot	58	81
7:00	Alperen Sengun offensive rebound	58	81
7:00	Alperen Sengun makes tip in dunk	60	81
6:39	LeBron James bad pass turnover (Tari Eason steals)	60	81
6:36	Tari Eason makes 3-foot running dunk	62	81
6:28	Lakers Full timeout	62	81
6:06	LeBron James makes 4-foot two point shot (Luke Kennard assists)	62	83
5:56	Tari Eason misses 25-foot three point jumper	62	83
5:55	Lakers defensive team rebound	62	83
5:55	Amen Thompson loose ball foul	62	83
5:55	Marcus Smart enters the game for Austin Reaves	62	83
5:36	Marcus Smart makes 25-foot three point jumper (Rui Hachimura assists)	62	86
5:12	Alperen Sengun out of bounds lost ball turnover	62	86
5:03	Jabari Smith Jr. personal foul	62	86
5:03	LeBron James makes free throw 1 of 2	62	87
5:03	LeBron James makes free throw 2 of 2	62	88
4:55	Reed Sheppard makes 29-foot three point jumper (Tari Eason assists)	65	88
4:30	Marcus Smart makes 25-foot three point jumper (LeBron James assists)	65	91
4:19	Amen Thompson makes 3-foot driving dunk	67	91
3:54	Reed Sheppard blocks Rui Hachimura 's 19-foot pullup jump shot	67	91
3:52	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	67	91
3:50	Jabari Smith Jr. misses running pullup jump shot	67	91
3:49	LeBron James defensive rebound	67	91
3:30	Jaxson Hayes makes 2-foot alley oop dunk (LeBron James assists)	67	93
3:18	Reed Sheppard misses 29-foot three point jumper	67	93
3:17	LeBron James defensive rebound	67	93
3:07	Lakers Full timeout	67	93
3:07	Bronny James enters the game for Luke Kennard	67	93
3:07	Nick Smith Jr. enters the game for Jaxson Hayes	67	93
3:07	Adou Thiero enters the game for LeBron James	67	93
3:07	Dalton Knecht enters the game for Rui Hachimura	67	93
3:07	Jake LaRavia enters the game for Marcus Smart	67	93
2:59	Tari Eason shooting foul	67	93
2:59	Adou Thiero misses free throw 1 of 2	67	93
2:59	Lakers offensive team rebound	67	93
2:59	Adou Thiero misses free throw 2 of 2	67	93
2:59	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	67	93
2:50	Amen Thompson makes two point shot	69	93
2:38	Tari Eason blocks Jake LaRavia 's 4-foot driving layup	69	93
2:36	Bronny James offensive rebound	69	93
2:33	Nick Smith Jr. misses driving floating jump shot	69	93
2:32	Jabari Smith Jr. defensive rebound	69	93
2:30	Jabari Smith Jr. bad pass turnover (Bronny James steals)	69	93
2:25	Nick Smith Jr. makes 27-foot running pullup jump shot (Bronny James assists)	69	96
2:14	Reed Sheppard misses 17-foot pullup jump shot	69	96
2:12	Dalton Knecht defensive rebound	69	96
2:07	Aaron Holiday enters the game for Amen Thompson	69	96
2:07	JD Davison enters the game for Jabari Smith Jr.	69	96
2:07	Clint Capela enters the game for Reed Sheppard	69	96
2:07	Jae'Sean Tate enters the game for Tari Eason	69	96
2:07	Josh Okogie enters the game for Alperen Sengun	69	96
1:59	Bronny James misses 25-foot three point pullup jump shot	69	96
1:58	Adou Thiero offensive rebound	69	96
1:58	Adou Thiero makes tip in dunk	69	98
1:51	Adou Thiero personal foul	69	98
1:46	Josh Okogie makes 25-foot three point jumper (Aaron Holiday assists)	72	98
1:24	Nick Smith Jr. misses 14-foot step back jumpshot	72	98
1:23	Jae'Sean Tate defensive rebound	72	98
1:19	Jae'Sean Tate makes running layup	74	98
1:11	Jake LaRavia misses two point shot	74	98
1:10	Jake LaRavia offensive rebound	74	98
1:09	Jake LaRavia misses tip shot	74	98
1:08	Jake LaRavia offensive rebound	74	98
1:05	Dalton Knecht misses 26-foot three point jumper	74	98
1:05	Josh Okogie defensive rebound	74	98
50.3	Aaron Holiday makes driving layup	76	98
29.2	Nick Smith Jr. misses 27-foot three point jumper	76	98
28.0	Jae'Sean Tate defensive rebound	76	98
23.6	Jae'Sean Tate misses running pullup jump shot	76	98
21.3	Clint Capela offensive rebound	76	98
21.3	Clint Capela makes two point shot	78	98
0.0	End of the 4th Quarter	78	98
0.0	End of Game	78	98

Time, Location & Referees

Game Information

Venue

Toyota Center (Houston)

Houston, TX

Date & Time

1:30 AM, May 2, 2026

Coverage

Prime Video

Attendance

18,055

Referees

Curtis Blair, Kevin Cutler, Scott Foster, Karl Lane

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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Lakers’ ruthless 27-3 surge buries Rockets 98-78 in Game 6, sets up Thunder series

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