James makes tying 3 as Lakers storm
back late, win in OT and take a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets
[April 25, 2026]
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
HOUSTON (AP) — 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.
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Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) becomes entangled with
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) as he drives to the
basket during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs
basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP
Photo/Michael Wyke)
“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.
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