HOUSTON — April 24, 2026 — The Los Angeles Lakers survived a tense overtime battle at Toyota Center, edging the Houston Rockets 112-108 to grab a 3-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. Head coach JJ Redick pointed to late-game heroics from LeBron James and Marcus Smart as the difference in Game 3.
James powered Los Angeles with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, while Smart added 21 points, four boards, 10 assists, five steals and two blocks. Both veterans delivered critical plays in the closing seconds of regulation and overtime, wiping out a six-point deficit with 30 seconds remaining.
“They both made big-time plays,” Redick said after the win. “We’ve talked for the last 10-plus days about elevating everything on the road — poise, composure, defense. Tonight we weathered a lot, and those two guys finished it off.”
Trailing 104-98, Smart swiped the ball, drew free throws and trimmed the gap to one possession. Moments later, a trap by Rui Hachimura and James forced another turnover, setting up James’ game-tying jumper that sent the contest to overtime.
In the extra period, Smart’s offensive rebound resulted in a foul and free throws, and another hustle play led to a James layup after the forward hurled the ball toward mid-court to keep it alive. “As much as we emphasize boxing out, we also want to crash,” Redick noted. “Those two guys made two of the biggest plays of the night.”
Smart’s two-way impact has become vital with top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sidelined. “He’s a winner,” Redick said. “He makes winning plays — the steal, the rebounds, everything.”
Center Deandre Ayton added that James and Redick refused to let the Lakers relax before their first road game of the postseason, a mindset he believes helped secure the commanding series advantage.
Los Angeles will try to close out the Rockets in Game 4, scheduled for Monday night in Houston.
Source: LakersNation.com
