Rockets vs Lakers: the story explained

The Los Angeles Lakers, fuelled by 29 points from LeBron James, beat the Houston Rockets 112-108 in an overtime thriller to take a 3-0 stranglehold in their NBA playoff series. Rockets vs Lakers has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Nigeria.

Key facts

• The Los Angeles Lakers, fuelled by 29 points from LeBron James, beat the Houston Rockets 112-108 in an overtime thriller to take a 3-0 stranglehold in their NBA playoff series.
• End of the Game End of the 4th Quarter Substitution: Reed Sheppard in for Josh Okogie.
• LeBron James makes a three-pointer to force overtime before the Los Angeles Lakers move to the brink of series victory in the NBA play-offs.
• LeBron James made a three-pointer to force overtime before the Los Angeles Lakers moved to the brink of a series victory in the NBA play-offs.
• The Rockets also host game four on Sunday and must win to prevent the Lakers earning a sweep of the series and booking their place in the Western Conference semi-finals.

What we know

Going deeper, End of the Game End of the 4th Quarter Substitution: Reed Sheppard in for Josh Okogie.

On the substance, LeBron James makes a three-pointer to force overtime before the Los Angeles Lakers move to the brink of series victory in the NBA play-offs.

Beyond the headlines, LeBron James made a three-pointer to force overtime before the Los Angeles Lakers moved to the brink of a series victory in the NBA play-offs.

More precisely, the Rockets also host game four on Sunday and must win to prevent the Lakers earning a sweep of the series and booking their place in the Western Conference semi-finals.

It is worth noting that He could not get a potential game-winner to drop at the buzzer, but added a steal and a block in a frantic overtime as the Lakers pushed the Rockets to the brink of elimination in the best-of-seven Western Conference series.

By the numbers

At this stage, the NBA's four-time Most Valuable Player levelled the score with 13 seconds left against the Houston Rockets and almost clinched victory as he hit the rim with a three-pointer on the buzzer.

On a related note, But the Lakers went on to win 112-108 in overtime to claim a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven first round of the play-offs.

Going deeper, James shines for Lakers while Wembanyama concussedPublished22 April.

On the substance, Elsewhere in the NBA playoffs, Spurs beat Trail Blazers 120-108 without Victor Wembanyama to take a 2-1 series lead.

What they're saying

“Just trying to seize the opportunity,” James, who added 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals, told broadcaster Prime. “My guys trust me to try to make plays and I’m blessed to be able to do it.”

“We just were resilient,” Tatum told broadcaster Prime. “We stuck with it.

“He’s just not ready,” said Sixers coach Nick Nurse, whose team will try to even the series when they host game four on Sunday.

The wider context

On a related note, the young Rockets, with veteran star Kevin Durant sidelined by a sprained ankle, were led by Alperen Sengun’s 33 points and 16 rebounds.

Going deeper, Smart made all three free throws to cut the Lakers’ deficit to 101-98 and set the stage for James’s game-tying basket.

On the substance, Sengun missed a potential go-ahead basket before James was off-target from beyond the arc and they went to overtime, Smart scoring eight of his 21 points in the extra session as the Lakers pulled away.

Beyond the headlines, Austin Reaves misses a 3-point jump shot from 25 feet out.

More precisely, LeBron James misses a 3-point jump shot from 28 feet out.

The bottom line

• The Rockets also host game four on Sunday and must win to prevent the Lakers earning a sweep of the series and booking their place in the Western Conference semi-finals.
• The NBA's four-time Most Valuable Player levelled the score with 13 seconds left against the Houston Rockets and almost clinched victory as he hit the rim with a three-pointer on the buzzer.
• The young Rockets, with veteran star Kevin Durant sidelined by a sprained ankle, were led by Alperen Sengun’s 33 points and 16 rebounds.
• Searches spiking right now: Rockets vs. Lakers (Apr 29, 2026) Live Score, LA Lakers vs Houston Rockets Prediction, Picks & Odds | NBA Friday, Rockets vs Lakers Prediction, Odds & NBA Playoffs Game 5 Picks, Sources: Rockets' Kevin Durant will miss Game 6 vs. Lakers.