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The Los Angeles Lakers and superstar LeBron James overcame long odds to come out on top and take a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Houston Rockets.
The Lakers were down six points with less than 30 seconds left in regulation. When NBA teams were down six or more in the last 30 seconds of regulation in the playoffs in the last 29 years, they were 1717-1.
With the Lakers' win on Friday, they are now 1713-2.
NBA teams were 1713-1 when leading by 6 or more in the last 30 sec of regulation in the playoffs in the last 29 years.
They are now 1713-2. Rockets are the 2nd team in 29 years to blow a 6+ point lead in the final 30 seconds of regulation, joining the 2024 Knicks. https://t.co/HLM8dOxuDM
The Lakers pulled off the impossible even though they led for most of the contest. Los Angeles led for 82 percent of the contest; however, the Rockets tuned up their play down the stretch and throughout the second half. It was by far Houston's best half of the series.
The Rockets had a 96.6 percent chance to win after Jaxson Hayes missed a two-foot tip shot with 34 seconds remaining. However, immediately after Marcus Smart caused a turnover and drew a foul on a three-point attempt.
Marcus Smart on this sequence: "Just make a play, my instinct. Jabari Smith... He picked his dribble up and now he’s in no-mans land and he threw a loft pass for me to recover and I got it. And as I looked up at the clock, I seen (Jae’ Sean) Tate running really fast and I’m… https://t.co/Rv7taYC77J pic.twitter.com/P1Oa4BOcvh
— Khobi Price (@khobi_price) April 25, 2026LeBron James leads Lakers with all-around effort
On the next possession, LeBron James created another turnover. He played hot potaote during with Luke Kennard before drilling a clutch three-pointer to tie the game and eventually force overtime.
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2026The Lakers started the overtime period on fire, going on a 6-2 run, and they never looked back.
James did his part and then some, recording a team-high 29 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the field, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals in 45 minutes of action.
The 41-year-old has done the impossible before in his career, and this just adds to his already stellar Hall of Fame resume.
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