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Lakers rally to force OT, outlast Rockets for 3-0 series lead

April 25, 2026

HOUSTON — Every time the word leaves JJ Redick’s mouth, it’s as if he’s trying to will the result into existence.

The grueling reality of a playoff series without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, so far, has left the Lakers needing every extra inch, players up and down the roster stepping up in their absence. It was the key in Game 1, the key in Game 2 – and in Houston on Friday night, the key in Game 3. For Redick, winning in the postseason comes down to desperation.

“The desperate team normally wins in the playoffs, the more desperate team,” Redick said, about an hour before Game 3 tipped off. “We can’t relax.”

Desperation under dire circumstances didn’t stop the Lakers from finding their lifeline in a 112-108 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets, winning the 5-minute extra period 11-7 after a stunning comeback in the final minute of regulation. The win gives the Lakers, who are still playing without the high-scoring duo of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series with a chance to close it out in Game 4 on Sunday night.

LeBron James had 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists and hit a game-tying 3-point shot with 13.1 seconds left in regulation to help extend the game. Marcus Smart scored 21 points (eight in overtime) to go with 10 assists and five steals, and Rui Hachimura scored 16 of his 22 points before halftime and shot 4 for 7 from 3-point range.

The Lakers led by as much as 15 points in the second half but found themselves trailing by six with 30 seconds left in regulation. A steal by Smart led to a trio of free throws after Jae’Sean Tate fouled him behind the arc. Smart made all three to cut the margin in half with 25.4 seconds left. On the following inbounds play, James stole the ball from Rockets guard Reed Sheppard, collected a feed from Luke Kennard and tied the score at 101 with a right wing 3-pointer with 13.1 seconds remaining.

After the Lakers successfully halted Alperen Sengun’s potential game-winning shot at the other end, a James 3-point attempt from the left wing bounced off the rim at the regulation buzzer – sending the game to overtime.

Rockets leading scorer Kevin Durant sat out for the second time in the series, this time nursing an ankle injury, but Sengun starred in his absence with 33 points on 15-of-27 shooting, 16 rebounds, six assists and three steals in 47 minutes.

Smart kicked off the overtime scoring with a 3-pointer from the corner as the Lakers started the extra period on a 6-2 run. Smart later saved a 3-point miss from James, and forced his way to the free-throw line for a pair on a second-chance attempt. He made two more foul shots after securing a defensive rebound when Jabari Smith Jr. (24 points, 6 for 10 from 3-point range) missed from long range.

The Rockets’ final two shots fell short and the Lakers held on for another resilient win.

Houston guard Amen Thompson added 26 points and Sheppard scored 17 on 6-for-21 shooting.

Bronny James, in nine minutes, outscored the Rockets’ bench 5-3 with a 3-pointer and an alley-oop off a feed from his father in the second quarter.

More to come on this story.

Orange County Register

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Lakers rally to force OT, outlast Rockets for 3-0 series lead

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