Game ID: 42500176
Los Angeles Lakers @ Houston Rockets
Friday, May 1, 2026 at 9:30 PM ET
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
HOU 18 13 24 23 78LAL 23 26 22 27 98
HOU vs LAL ScoutingHOU vs LAL Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
HOU availability going into 4/21 · 2 days' restOUT Durant missed 2 since 4/12, returns tonight: 41 min (112% of 36)
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/12 after 4, 21 min since (129% of 16)
BACK Newton back 4/12 after 16, 12 min since (100% of 12)
HOU availability going into 4/24 · 2 days' restOUT Finney-Smith missed 2 since 4/18, returns tonight: 11 min (67% of 16)
BACK Durant back 4/21 after 2, 41 min since (112% of 36)
BACK Newton back 4/12 after 16, 12 min since (100% of 12)
NEW Okogie 17 to 24 min over the last 5
HOU availability going into 4/26 · 1 day's restBACK Durant back 4/21 after 2, 41 min since (112% of 36)
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/12 after 4, 16 min since (98% of 16)
BACK Newton back 4/12 after 16, 12 min since (100% of 12)
NEW Thompson 38 to 44 min over the last 4
NEW Smith Jr. 36 to 41 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 4/29 · 2 days' restBACK Durant back 4/21 after 2, 41 min since (112% of 36)
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/12 after 4, 17 min since (105% of 16)
BACK Newton back 4/12 after 16, 12 min since (100% of 12)
NEW Thompson 38 to 44 min over the last 4
NEW Smith Jr. 36 to 42 min over the last 4
HOU availability going into 5/01 · 1 day's restOUT Capela missed 2 since 4/26, returns tonight: 2 min (18% of 12)
BACK Durant back 4/21 after 2, 41 min since (112% of 36)
BACK Finney-Smith back 4/24 after 2, 14 min since (85% of 16)
NEW Thompson 38 to 44 min over the last 5
NEW Smith Jr. 36 to 42 min over the last 5
NEW Sengun 34 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Eason 26 to 32 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/21 · 2 days' restOUT Reaves missed 6 since 4/05, out tonight
BACK Smart back 4/10 after 9, 26 min since (88% of 29)
BACK Hayes back 4/18 after 4, 13 min since (71% of 18)
LAL availability going into 4/24 · 2 days' restOUT Reaves missed 7 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Smith Jr. missed 2 since 4/18, returns tonight: 0 min (0% of 11)
OUT Kleber missed 2 since 4/18, out tonight
BACK Smart back 4/10 after 9, 28 min since (97% of 29)
BACK Hayes back 4/18 after 4, 17 min since (95% of 18)
NEW Hachimura 30 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Kennard 25 to 30 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/26 · 1 day's restOUT Reaves missed 8 since 4/05, out tonight
OUT Kleber missed 3 since 4/18, returns tonight: 7 min (66% of 10)
BACK Smart back 4/10 after 9, 31 min since (104% of 29)
BACK Hayes back 4/18 after 4, 18 min since (100% of 18)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/24 after 2, 0 min since (0% of 11)
NEW Hachimura 30 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Kennard 25 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 4/29 · 2 days' restOUT Reaves missed 9 since 4/05, returns tonight: 34 min (97% of 35)
BACK Hayes back 4/18 after 4, 17 min since (96% of 18)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/24 after 2, 4 min since (34% of 11)
BACK Kleber back 4/26 after 3, 7 min since (66% of 10)
NEW Hachimura 30 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Kennard 25 to 34 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 5/01 · 1 day's restBACK Reaves back 4/29 after 9, 34 min since (97% of 35)
BACK Hayes back 4/18 after 4, 16 min since (88% of 18)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/24 after 2, 4 min since (34% of 11)
BACK Kleber back 4/26 after 3, 7 min since (66% of 10)
NEW James 34 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Hachimura 30 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Smart 29 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Kennard 25 to 38 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 5/05 · 3 days' restOUT Kleber missed 2 since 4/29, out tonight
BACK Reaves back 4/29 after 9, 32 min since (93% of 35)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/24 after 2, 4 min since (32% of 11)
NEW Hachimura 30 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Smart 29 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Kennard 25 to 36 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 5/07 · 1 day's restOUT Kleber missed 3 since 4/29, out tonight
BACK Reaves back 4/29 after 9, 33 min since (96% of 35)
BACK Smith Jr. back 4/24 after 2, 3 min since (28% of 11)
NEW Hachimura 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Smart 29 to 35 min over the last 5
NEW Kennard 25 to 33 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 5/09 · 1 day's restOUT Kleber missed 4 since 4/29, returns tonight: 8 min (73% of 10)
BACK Reaves back 4/29 after 9, 35 min since (100% of 35)
NEW Hachimura 30 to 35 min over the last 5
LAL availability going into 5/11 · 1 day's restOUT Vanderbilt missed 2 since 5/07, returns tonight: 3 min (17% of 17)
BACK Reaves back 4/29 after 9, 36 min since (102% of 35)
BACK Kleber back 5/09 after 4, 8 min since (73% of 10)
NEW Hachimura 30 to 37 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Houston comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 102, shooting 42 percent and 32 from three, 25 free throws a game; Sengun at 21 and Thompson at 19 a game. One day's rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 103, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 27 free throws a game; James at 22 and Smart at 16 a game. One day's rest.
So: Houston wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 18 times a game to Houston's 13 and the arc, the Lakers at 38 percent from three to Houston's 32. Call it Houston 110, the Lakers 106, the Lakers keeping it close.
4/21 @ LAL 94-101 — HOU notes
HOU lost 94-101. HOU took 17 more shots (89 to 72), fed by 17 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to LAL's 46%, 7 of 29 from three, and got to the line 19 times to LAL's 28. Durant led with 23 (7 of 12, 1 of 4 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Sengun added 20, Smith Jr. 18. Q2 was theirs, 25-21, the deficit cut from 7 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 80-69 against them. Smith Jr.'s -11 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/24 vs LAL 108-112 — HOU notes
HOU lost 108-112 in 1 overtime. HOU took 19 more shots (98 to 79), fed by 18 offensive rebounds, but shot 41% to LAL's 48%, 11 of 39 from three, and got to the line 23 times to LAL's 32. HOU turned it over 15 times to LAL's 20. Sengun led with 33 (15 of 27, 1 of 5 from three); Thompson added 26, Smith Jr. 24. Q3 was theirs, 23-17, the deficit cut from 11 to 5, but the other 4 periods went 95-85 against them. Finney-Smith's -6 in 11 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/26 vs LAL 115-96 — HOU notes
HOU won 115-96. HOU shot 48% (39 of 81) to LAL's 50%, 12 of 30 from three, and went to the line 31 times to LAL's 21 — 25 points from the stripe to their 17. HOU turned it over 13 times to LAL's 23. Thompson led with 23 (10 of 16); Eason added 20, Sengun 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-18: a lead of 9 became 25, and the lead reached 28. Eason was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
4/29 @ LAL 99-93 — HOU notes
HOU won 99-93. HOU shot 44% (33 of 75) to LAL's 42%, 14 of 40 from three. HOU turned it over 10 times to LAL's 15. Smith Jr. led with 22 (6 of 13, 4 of 9 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Eason added 18, Thompson 15. The hinge was Q2, 30-19: HOU came in trailing by 7 and left it ahead by 4. Sengun was the night's best plus/minus at +8.
5/01 vs LAL 78-98 — HOU notes
HOU lost 78-98. HOU shot 35% (28 of 80) to LAL's 40%, 5 of 28 from three. Thompson led with 18 (7 of 14, 4 of 6 at the line); Sengun added 17, Eason 14. Q3 was theirs, 24-22, the deficit cut from 18 to 16, but the other 3 periods went 76-54 against them. Sengun's -27 in 38 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/21 vs HOU 101-94 — LAL notes
LAL won 101-94. LAL shot 46% (33 of 72) to HOU's 40%, 13 of 28 from three, and went to the line 28 times to HOU's 19 — 22 points from the stripe to their 15. L. James led with 28 (8 of 20, 2 of 5 from three, 10 of 14 at the line); Smart added 25, Kennard 23. The hinge was Q1, 33-26: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 15. Hayes was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
4/24 @ HOU 112-108 — LAL notes
LAL won 112-108 in 1 overtime. LAL shot 48% (38 of 79) to HOU's 41%, 12 of 29 from three, and went to the line 32 times to HOU's 23 — 24 points from the stripe to their 17. LAL turned it over 20 times to HOU's 15, and HOU turned those into 15 steals. L. James led with 29 (10 of 22, 4 of 9 from three, 5 of 6 at the line); Hachimura added 22, Smart 21. The hinge was Q1, 39-32: from level to 7 ahead, and the lead reached 15.
4/26 @ HOU 96-115 — LAL notes
LAL lost 96-115. LAL shot 50% (37 of 74) to HOU's 48%, 5 of 22 from three, and got to the line 21 times to HOU's 31. LAL turned it over 23 times to HOU's 13, and HOU turned those into 17 steals. Ayton led with 19 (9 of 12); Hachimura added 13, L. James 10. Q4 was theirs, 31-25, the deficit cut from 25 to 19, but the other 3 periods went 90-65 against them. Smart's -20 in 31 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/29 vs HOU 93-99 — LAL notes
LAL lost 93-99. LAL shot 42% (32 of 76) to HOU's 44%, 7 of 27 from three. LAL turned it over 15 times to HOU's 10, and HOU turned those into 10 steals. James led with 25 (9 of 20, 0 of 6 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); Reaves added 22, Ayton 18. Q1 was theirs, 28-21, but the other 3 periods went 78-65 against them. They led by as many as 11. Hayes's -8 in 10 minutes was the worst on the floor.
5/01 @ HOU 98-78 — LAL notes
LAL won 98-78. LAL shot 40% (36 of 89) to HOU's 35%, 12 of 28 from three. L. James led with 28 (10 of 25, 2 of 5 from three, 6 of 8 at the line); Hachimura added 21, Reaves 15. The hinge was Q2, 26-13: a lead of 5 became 18, and the lead reached 29. L. James was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
5/05 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 34 and Holmgren at 17 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Jal. Williams (2 straight). 7 days' rest. The Lakers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 100 a night and allowing 99, shooting 45 percent and 37 from three, 26 free throws a game; James at 24 and Hachimura at 16 a game. 3 days' rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the defense, the Lakers allowing 99 a night to OKC's 111 and the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 16 times a game to OKC's 10. Call it OKC 114, the Lakers 107.
5/07 @ OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 102, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 31 and Holmgren at 19 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Jal. Williams (3 straight). One day's rest. The Lakers come in 2-3 over their last five, scoring 98 a night and allowing 102, shooting 44 percent and 34 from three, 23 free throws a game; James at 24 and Hachimura at 17 a game. One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 17 times a game to OKC's 11. Call it OKC 115, the Lakers 104, OKC by 11.
5/09 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 97 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 21 free throws a game; James at 23 and Reaves at 19 a game. One day's rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 121 a night and allowing 107, shooting 51 percent and 40 from three, 23 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Holmgren at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. Without Jal. Williams (4 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 17 times a game to OKC's 12 and the arc, OKC at 40 percent from three to the Lakers' 33. Call it OKC 113, the Lakers 108.
5/11 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Lakers come in 1-4 over their last five, scoring 99 a night and allowing 108, shooting 44 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; James at 24 and Reaves at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. Without Vanderbilt (2 straight). One day's rest. OKC comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 123 a night and allowing 107, shooting 53 percent and 42 from three, 20 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 27 and Mitchell at 20 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Jal. Williams (5 straight). One day's rest.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the turnovers, the Lakers giving it away 16 times a game to OKC's 12 and the arc, OKC at 42 percent from three to the Lakers' 38. Call it OKC 115, the Lakers 108.
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 6 14 +3 4 6 67 2 7 29 0 1 0 0 7 4 0 3 0 2
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
out ---
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaJaReSm 6 11 -3 5 13 38 0 0 0 1 2 50 2 7 3 0 1 0 1
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, L. James, Reaves, Smart
in Ayton, Hachimura, L. James, Reaves, Smart
out ---
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaOkSeShJr 1 2 -1 1 2 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0
HOU Eason, Okogie, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr.
in Okogie
out Thompson
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaKeJaRe 2 6 +4 1 2 50 1 2 50 1 1 100 0 3 1 0 1 0 0
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, Kennard, L. James, Reaves
in Kennard
out Smart
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
OkSeShJrTh 2 0 -6 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
HOU Okogie, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Thompson
out Eason
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaKeJaRe 2 6 +4 1 2 50 1 2 50 1 1 100 0 3 1 0 1 0 0
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, Kennard, L. James, Reaves
in Kennard
out Smart
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
FiHoOkJrTh 2 2 -1 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 3 67 0 2 0 0 1 3 2
HOU Finney-Smith, Holiday, Okogie, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Finney-Smith, Holiday
out Sengun, Sheppard
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
HaKeJaLaSm 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1
LAL Hayes, Kennard, L. James, LaRavia, Smart
in L. James
out Hachimura
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaFiSeShTh 2 0 -7 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
HOU Eason, Finney-Smith, Sengun, Sheppard, Thompson
in Eason, Sengun, Sheppard
out Holiday, Okogie, Smith Jr.
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
HaKeJaLaSm 4 13 +12 4 4 100 1 1 100 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 1 2 2
LAL Hayes, Kennard, L. James, LaRavia, Smart
in ---
out ---
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 6 9 -2 4 10 40 0 3 0 1 1 100 2 3 1 0 2 2 2
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Smith Jr.
out Finney-Smith
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
HaKeJaLaSm 4 13 +12 4 4 100 1 1 100 0 0 0 0 4 2 0 1 2 2
LAL Hayes, Kennard, L. James, LaRavia, Smart
in ---
out ---
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 6 9 -2 4 10 40 0 3 0 1 1 100 2 3 1 0 2 2 2
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Smith Jr.
out Finney-Smith
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaJaLaRe 2 0 -6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 2
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, L. James, LaRavia, Reaves
in Ayton, Hachimura, Reaves
out Hayes, Kennard, Smart
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 6 9 -2 4 10 40 0 3 0 1 1 100 2 3 1 0 2 2 2
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Smith Jr.
out Finney-Smith
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaKeReSm 2 2 0 1 4 25 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, Kennard, Reaves, Smart
in Kennard, Smart
out L. James, LaRavia
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
HoOkSeJrTh 3 2 -5 1 5 20 0 1 0 2 3 67 0 3 0 0 0 1 2
HOU Holiday, Okogie, Sengun, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Holiday, Okogie
out Eason, Sheppard
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaJaReSm 8 18 +11 3 6 50 3 6 50 3 7 43 0 10 4 1 4 1 3
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, L. James, Reaves, Smart
in Hachimura
out Kennard
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 5 7 -4 1 7 14 1 3 33 1 2 50 2 5 2 1 1 0 2
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Eason, Sheppard
out Holiday, Okogie
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaJaReSm 8 18 +11 3 6 50 3 6 50 3 7 43 0 10 4 1 4 1 3
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, L. James, Reaves, Smart
in Hachimura
out Kennard
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaHoJrTaTh 2 9 +6 1 1 100 0 1 0 5 6 83 1 2 1 1 0 0 2
HOU Eason, Holiday, Smith Jr., Tate, Thompson
in Holiday, Tate
out Sengun, Sheppard
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaKeJaRe 2 5 -2 1 2 50 1 2 50 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, Kennard, L. James, Reaves
in Kennard
out Smart
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 2 4 -1 2 3 67 0 0 0 2 2 100 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Sengun, Sheppard
out Holiday, Tate
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
HaKeLaReSm 3 4 -4 2 2 100 0 2 0 1 2 50 1 1 0 0 1 2 1
LAL Hayes, Kennard, LaRavia, Reaves, Smart
in Hayes, LaRavia, Smart
out Ayton, Hachimura, L. James
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaOkSeShTh 1 4 +4 1 1 100 0 1 0 2 2 100 1 1 1 2 0 0 0
HOU Eason, Okogie, Sengun, Sheppard, Thompson
in Okogie
out Smith Jr.
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
HaKeLaReSm 3 4 -4 2 2 100 0 2 0 1 2 50 1 1 0 0 1 2 1
LAL Hayes, Kennard, LaRavia, Reaves, Smart
in Hayes, LaRavia, Smart
out Ayton, Hachimura, L. James
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaFiShJrTh 3 2 -5 1 2 50 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0
HOU Eason, Finney-Smith, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Finney-Smith, Smith Jr.
out Okogie, Sengun
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
AyHaKeJaSm 4 7 +4 2 7 29 1 2 50 0 0 0 3 6 1 0 0 0 2
LAL Ayton, Hachimura, Kennard, L. James, Smart
in Ayton, Hachimura, L. James
out Hayes, LaRavia, Reaves
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 7 12 -6 4 5 80 1 6 17 1 2 50 1 5 1 1 2 3 6
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Sengun
out Finney-Smith
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
HaHaKeJaRe 1 4 0 2 2 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
LAL Hachimura, Hayes, Kennard, L. James, Reaves
in Hayes, Reaves
out Ayton, Smart
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 7 12 -6 4 5 80 1 6 17 1 2 50 1 5 1 1 2 3 6
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Sengun
out Finney-Smith
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
HaHaKeJaSm 3 10 +5 1 2 50 2 2 100 2 2 100 0 2 3 0 0 0 0
LAL Hachimura, Hayes, Kennard, L. James, Smart
in Smart
out Reaves
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
EaSeShJrTh 7 12 -6 4 5 80 1 6 17 1 2 50 1 5 1 1 2 3 6
HOU Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
in Sengun
out Finney-Smith
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
JaKnLaJrTh 3 5 -6 1 6 17 1 4 25 0 2 0 4 1 1 1 0 0 1
LAL B. James, Knecht, LaRavia, N. Smith Jr., Thiero
in B. James, Knecht, LaRavia, N. Smith Jr., Thiero
out Hachimura, Hayes, Kennard, L. James, Smart
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
CaDaHoOkTa 2 9 +7 3 3 100 1 2 50 0 0 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 0
HOU Capela, Davison, Holiday, Okogie, Tate
in Capela, Davison, Holiday, Okogie, Tate
out Eason, Sengun, Sheppard, Smith Jr., Thompson
Lineup MIN PTS PM 2PM 2PA 2P% 3PM 3PA 3P% FTM FTA FT% OR DR AST STL BLK TO PF
JaKnLaJrTh 3 5 -6 1 6 17 1 4 25 0 2 0 4 1 1 1 0 0 1
LAL B. James, Knecht, LaRavia, N. Smith Jr., Thiero
in B. James, Knecht, LaRavia, N. Smith Jr., Thiero
out Hachimura, Hayes, Kennard, L. James, Smart
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
HOUAH A. Holiday
AS A. Sengun
AT A. Thompson
CC C. Capela
DF D. Finney-Smith
JO J. Okogie
JS J. Smith Jr.
JT J. Tate
RS R. Sheppard
TE T. Eason
LALAR A. Reaves
AT A. Thiero
BJ B. James
DA D. Ayton
DK D. Knecht
JH J. Hayes
JL J. LaRavia
LJ L. James
LK L. Kennard
MS M. Smart
NS N. Smith Jr.
RH R. Hachimura
HOU/LAL the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Lakers’ ruthless 27-3 surge buries Rockets 98-78 in Game 6, sets up Thunder series
HOUSTON -- — LeBron James had 28 points and the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston with a 98-78 win in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Friday night by holding the Rockets to a season low in points.
The No. 4 seed Lakers move on to meet the top-seeded Thunder with Game 1 Tuesday in Oklahoma City.
Los Angeles has advanced to the second round for the first time since 2023 when it lost to Denver in the West finals despite missing top scorer Luka Doncic for the entire series.
“For us to be written off a few weeks ago and win a playoff series is a big deal,” coach JJ Redick said.
The Lakers used a 27-3 run in the first half to take an 18-point lead at halftime. They led by 22 with about three minutes left in the third quarter before Houston went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 71-55 entering the fourth.
But Los Angeles opened the quarter with a 10-3 spurt, with five points from Rui Hachimura , to make it 81-58 with about seven minutes left.
“In order for us to win we had to protect the ball, we had to rebound and we had to be physical, make them take tough shots,” James said. “I thought defensively we came in with a great game plan and we executed that thing to a T.”
Hachimura added 21 points with five 3-pointers.
Redick raved about what James meant to his team not only Friday night but throughout the season.
“He just has this ability to set the tone for the entire group and he did that again tonight and our guys responded,” Redick said.
Amen Thompson had 18 points and Alperen Sengun added 17 for Houston, which is heading home after a first-round playoff loss for a second straight season after losing to the Warriors in seven games last year.
“Everybody’s disappointed, no doubt," coach Ime Udoka said. “Not what we expected coming into the game tonight or the series in general. We all thought that we'd be taking it back for a Game 7."
The fifth-seeded Rockets had won two straight after falling into an 0-3 hole. They forced Game 6 despite missing superstar Kevin Durant for all but one game of this series because of a knee injury followed by an ankle issue.
But they were felled by poor shooting Friday, making just 35% overall and were particularly bad from long range. After making 26 3-pointers combined in the last two games, the Rockets made just 5 of 28 3-pointers Friday with Reed Sheppard going 1 for 10.
The Lakers trailed by 5 with five minutes left in the first before using a 27-3 run to take a 38-19 lead with about seven minutes left in the second quarter. Hachimura, Jake LaRavia and James all made 3-pointers in that stretch to help Los Angeles build the lead on a night the Lakers made 12 3s.
The Rockets couldn’t get anything going early in the second quarter. They got one free throw from Sheppard but missed 11 shots before he made the team’s first field goal in the period with 6:55 left before halftime.
That didn't spark anything for Houston and the Lakers led 49-31 at halftime.
Austin Reaves added 15 points for the Lakers in his second game back after missing more than three weeks with an oblique injury and Deandre Ayton had seven points and 16 rebounds.