HOUSTON — The Los Angeles Lakers wiped out a six-point deficit in the final 30 seconds of regulation and edged the Houston Rockets 112-108 in overtime on Friday night, seizing a 3-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.
Veteran guard Marcus Smart ignited the comeback by stealing a pass from Jabari Smith Jr. with 27.8 seconds left and drawing a three-shot foul on Jae’Sean Tate. Smart sank all three free throws to trim Houston’s lead to 99-96.
LeBron James delivered the equalizer moments later. The 41-year-old trapped rookie guard Reed Sheppard in the backcourt, knocked the ball loose to Rui Hachimura, then drifted to the left wing for a catch-and-shoot three that tied the game at 99 with 13.6 seconds remaining. “The game’s never over until the clock shows zeros,” James said.
Los Angeles controlled the extra period, outscoring Houston 11-7. Smart scored eight of those points, including two free throws with 52.4 seconds to play after slipping behind Tari Eason for an offensive rebound. Hachimura added the other three points and corralled a key offensive board of his own.
James finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in 45 minutes, while Smart posted 21 points, 10 assists and five steals. Hachimura contributed 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Luke Kennard, acquired at the trade deadline from Atlanta, added 14 points, six rebounds and six assists.
The victory made Los Angeles only the second team in the past 30 postseasons to erase a deficit of six or more in the final half-minute and still win, according to ESPN research; the 2024 Philadelphia 76ers accomplished the feat against the New York Knicks.
The Lakers remain without their two top scorers, Luka Dončić (left hamstring) and Austin Reaves (left oblique), who have missed three weeks. “We don’t have the luxury of playing passive,” James noted. “Every possession matters.”
Head coach JJ Redick praised the late-game hustle from Smart and Hachimura, saying their offensive rebounds were “two of the biggest plays of the night.”
Houston, which squandered a double-digit second-half lead, could have Kevin Durant back from a sprained left ankle for Game 4 on Sunday. Smart said the Lakers intend to close the series quickly: “We have them on the ground; we have to finish the job.”
Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday in Houston, where Los Angeles can clinch a spot in the second round.
Source: ESPN
