The Houston Rockets were supposed to use their home-court advantage to finally punch back after trailing the series 2-0.
But the LeBron James script had a different storyline in mind.
Down two starters and playing in a hostile Toyota Center for Game 3, the Los Angeles Lakers pulled off another heist on Friday night.
LeBron James Rescues the Shorthanded Lakers to Clinch a 3-0 Series Lead Over the Rockets
Missing Kevin Durant again (sprained left ankle), Houston threw everything it had at the shorthanded Lakers to try and salvage its season, but had no answer for James’ late-game heroics as he helped Los Angeles stun the Rockets in overtime to take a 3-0 series lead.
Despite a desperate Rockets team trying to wear him down in Durant’s absence, James commanded the pace of the game, creating open looks for Luke Kennard and the rest of the supporting cast.
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The defining moment of the series arguably came in the dying seconds of regulation.
Trailing by 3 points and dealing with the possibility of Houston clawing its way back into the series, James stepped up.
Again.
The 41-year-old buried a contested, game-tying 3-pointer to force overtime. The clutch moment seemed to break Houston’s spirit, as the Rockets went on to lose 112-108 in overtime.
LEBRON JAMES TIES IT FOR THE LAKERS pic.twitter.com/cH99HLqlQy
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) April 25, 2026
Fans across the league erupted online immediately after the shot, with a mix of complete disbelief and quiet resignation.
“THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME,” one NBA influencer account said.
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
— 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒆 🌩 (@Three_Cone) April 25, 2026
“LEBRON. THE ROCKETS ARE NOT A REAL BASKETBALL TEAM,” Molly Morrison of Bleacher Report posted.
“LEBRON JAMES STEAL. LEBRON JAMES THREE TO TIE IT,” Underdog NBA posted.
“Lakers fans, I was part of the majority thinking Houston had no chance of losing this series with LA not having Luka and Reaves. I’m sorry,” ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel said.
Lakers fans, I was part of the majority thinking Houston had no chance of losing this series with LA not having Luka and Reaves.
I’m sorry.
— Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegelNBA) April 25, 2026
“Gut punching Rockets loss as the Lakers go up 3-0. I can’t believe they choked away that game, Rockets season is pretty much over,” content creator Matt posted online.
Gut punching Rockets loss as the Lakers go up 3-0
I can’t believe they choked away that game, Rockets season is pretty much over
— Matt (@sixringsofsteeI) April 25, 2026
When Houston’s defense collapsed in the fourth quarter, James found his spots on the perimeter and knocked down 4 three-pointers on the night.
The 22-time All-Star finished the night with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists across 45 grueling minutes.
While the Lakers get a massive break with this 3-0 cushion, for Houston, it is another narrative altogether now.
Having entered this series as the favorites due to the Lakers’ extensive injury report, the Rockets find themselves down 3-0 and out of offensive rhythm.
If Durant can’t return from his injury issues and help spark what now feels like a miraculous comeback, the Rockets’ front office will have a sobering summer ahead of it.
