Lakers Overpowered 119-96 by Rockets in Christmas Day Matchup at Crypto.com Arena
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The Houston Rockets spoiled the Los Angeles Lakers’ holiday home game on Dec. 25, 2025, rolling to a 119-96 victory at Crypto.com Arena and handing the Lakers their third consecutive loss.
Houston seized control early behind relentless work on the offensive glass and paint attacks from guard Amen Thompson, racing to a 9-3 start and finishing the opening quarter ahead 37-25. Los Angeles compounded its problems with multiple turnovers, prompting head coach JJ Redick to burn two quick timeouts.
Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun all suited up in one of the NBA’s most anticipated Christmas Day games, but the Lakers struggled to match the Rockets’ energy. Marcus Smart briefly exited after a shoulder scare before returning to spark a second-quarter push alongside Jarred Vanderbilt; the duo helped trim the deficit to four points. Even so, more miscues allowed Houston to close the half on a run and carry a 63-53 lead into the locker room.
Los Angeles absorbed another setback when Reaves was ruled out for the night after re-aggravating a calf injury. The Lakers opened the third quarter flat, and Houston quickly stretched the margin above 20. Doncic, frustrated by a lack of whistles, could not reverse the momentum as the Rockets entered the final period up 92-74.
James continued to press in the fourth, but Durant and the Rockets kept the scoreboard moving while Los Angeles’ defense failed to generate stops. Both benches emptied midway through the quarter with the outcome no longer in doubt.
What’s Next
The Lakers close out 2025 with two more home games, hosting the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night and the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday.
Source: LakersNation.com
