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LeBron Leads Lakers OT Game 3 Win Over Rockets, 112-108

4/25/2026

40 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

LeBron Forces Overtime

LeBron James (41) scored 29 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and added six assists as the Lakers beat the Rockets 112-108 in overtime in Game 3.
He tied the team lead with four three-pointers and stole the ball with 20 seconds left before hitting a game-tying three-pointer at the 14-second mark.
The Lakers will attempt to close the series in Game 4 on Sunday in Houston.

Summary

Sengun Shines

Alperen Sengun posted 33 points and 16 rebounds despite Kevin Durant’s absence.
Coach Ime Udoka warned the Rockets’ inability to close out games after the overtime loss.
Luka Doncic’s hamstring strain and Austin Reaves’ injury left the Lakers shorthanded.
Bronny James contributed five points, including a three-pointer and an alley-oop from his father, outscoring the Rockets’ bench 5-3.

Summary

Smart Seals Overtime

Jabari Smith Jr. received a technical foul in the second half and sat out the remainder of the game.
The Lakers’ bench outscored the Rockets’ bench 24-3, reversing the margin from Game 2.
Marcus Smart posted 21 points, 10 assists, and sealed overtime with two free throws at the 46-second mark.

History

Historical Context

The Lakers' overtime win in Game 4 of the 2000 NBA Finals—Shaquille O'Neal’s 41-point surge at the Staples Center secured the franchise’s first title in 12 years and marked Phil Jackson’s debut season in a new arena. That late-game heroics set a template the team cites as it seeks another overtime victory against the Rockets today.

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LeBron Forces Overtime

LeBron James (41) scored 29 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and added six assists as the Lakers beat the Rockets 112-108 in overtime in Game 3.
He tied the team lead with four three-pointers and stole the ball with 20 seconds left before hitting a game-tying three-pointer at the 14-second mark.
The Lakers will attempt to close the series in Game 4 on Sunday in Houston.

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