The Los Angeles Lakers enter Sunday’s Game 4 against the Houston Rockets looking like a team with plenty of new goals in mind.
Los Angeles secured convincing victories in the first three games of the series, with the newly-installed trio of LeBron James, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart continuing to thrive.
The Lakers were playing against a Rocket team once again dealing with Kevin Durant’s absence in Game 3 due to an ankle injury; Durant also missed the first game of the series with knee trouble.
L.A. hasn’t let off the gas pedal. Against the short-handed Rockets, the even more short-handed Lakers showed who’s the boss.
At first many suspected the Lakers’ win in Game 1 was only the result of Durant, a 16-time All-Star, sitting out. But in Game 2, the Lakers backed up their opening series victory.
They were this close to losing Friday’s Game 3 in Houston after trailing by six points with roughly 30 seconds remaining in regulation. But blunder after blunder reopened the door for the Lakers, who ultimately won in stunning fashion in overtime.
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 24, 2026 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
The Game 3 victory pushed L.A. to a place no one could have envisioned just over three weeks ago when stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves suffered a pair of Grade 2 strains against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
But now, these Lakers find themselves up 3-0 with all the momentum to make it 3-0. (Que that one Drake line.)
Oh, and the return of Reaves feels more imminent than ever.
Reaves, 27, began ramping up his return-to-play process earlier this week. Initially given a four-to-six week timeline, he has already been upgraded to questionable ahead of tonight’s game (as he was ahead of Game 3) with a chance to suit up for the first time since April 2.
Los Angeles Lakers Announce Wild Postseason Stats
This will surely convey just how much swagger the Lakers are playing with — in case anyone hasn’t realized already.
Ahead of game time tonight, the Lakers posted some major stats. They’ll make one think the team hasn’t missed a single day of Reaves and Doncic in the lineup.
L.A. won Game 3 in astonishing fashion, but that small description doesn’t do that victory justice.
- The Lakers became only the sixth team in the last 29 years to win a game after trailing by six points with 30 seconds to play in regulation.
- Among playoff teams, L.A. ranks second in true shooting percentage (Who needs Luka and AR?)
- Smart, the team’s offseason acquisition, is the first Laker ever with consecutive game of 20 points and five steals
How about that for some fancy numbers?
The Lakers are clicking at a remarkable level. No one player deserves all the credit; this is as good a collective effort a team can display.
The Lakers eye a sweep tonight. The Rockets are faced with a deficit no team in NBA history has overcome. Only four teams have even forced a Game 7 after going down 0-3.
Taking Care of Business Tonight = Major Value
What a feeling it would be for these Lakers to point their plan back to Los Angeles with a fourth win in their back pocket?
Sending the Rockets on an early vacation would feel extra sweet considering tonight’s game is in Houston.
Wrapping up the series tonight means fewer first round games and more rest for the Lakers ahead of the second round.
Round two will certainly be a different ballgame and a much tougher task.
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