LAKERS PULL OFF A MIRACLE WIN TO TAKE A 3-0 SERIES LEAD 🤯LeBron James:29 points13 rebounds6 assistsMarcus Smart:21 points10 assists 5 steals pic.twitter.com/ONHLFzIbqR— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 25, 2026
The Lakers run back the same starting lineup: https://t.co/gjrZavMV90 pic.twitter.com/1VH0XvwFXj— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) April 24, 2026
After having their championship hopes estinguished by the Thunder three weeks ago, the Lakers have impressively rebounded and could lock up a 2nd round rematch with OKC with a 1st round win over Houston tonight.
The Lakers’ improbable turnaround after being throttled twice by the Thunder and losing Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to injury has been nothing short of miraculous and a testament to JJ Redick’s coaching. After losing Doncic and Reaves, the Lakers led by LeBron James, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard have won 5 straight games — three regular season meaningless blowouts and two stunning playoff upsets over the Rockets.
If the Lakers beat the Rockets tonight, they will take a 3–0 lead that no team in the history of the NBA has been able to overcome. Complicating the situation, Durant reportedly is now questionable due to an ankle issue.
While everybody thought the Lakers were doomed when Doncic and Reaves went down, it now appears the basketball gods were just testing them. Having passed test, LA could now get their stars back for OKC.
While the Lakers path to another NBA championship is daunting, there’s a reason they play the games. Already, there’s already a possibility Jalen Williams will miss some of all of the 2nd round with a hamstring injury.
Parity and injuries could even derail the Thunder’s quest for back-to-back titles and the Lakers’ elite play sans Luka and Austin will only make them stronger and more confident should they meet OKC in the 2nd round.
But the Lakers first have to beat the Rockets. While the Lakers boast the #5 offense, #4 defense, and #3 net rating of the 16 playoff teams, the sample size is just two playoff games and all they’ve done is just hold home court.
Frankly, regardless of how LA does vs. OKC, beating Houston without their best two scorers/playmakers would likely mean Pelinka’s and Redick’s job’s were secure and LeBron James would be most likely be returning to LA.
The Lakers should not be looking to extend this series anymore. Tonight, they need to put their foot on the gas and go for the Rockets’ juglar. Win tonight and you lock up the series. Win tonight and rest for Thunder!
A lot of people are surprised by Luke Kennard's increased level of play, but he isn't.https://t.co/jjz7ABqatb— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 24, 2026
3 GAME 3s TONIGHT ON PRIME!
After 30 from VJ and 29 from Maxey in Game 2, Celtics/Sixers heads to Philly tied 1-1
The only thing that would make the job JJ Redick is doing better is if he were wearing a suit.On the Lakers’ opening argument, stunning for how much stronger it was than opposing coach Ime Udoka’s. And as evidence of how far Redick has come.https://t.co/KuhM1lUPiw— Mirjam Swanson (@MirjamSwanson) April 24, 2026
LAKERS NOW POSSESS TOP-5 PLAYOFF OFFENSIVE, DEFENSIVE, & NET RATINGS!Lakers Offensive Rating 113.0 (5th)Lakers Defensive Rating 104.9 (4th)Lakers Net Rating +8.1 (3rd)… pic.twitter.com/YtbOA5f6cw— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 24, 2026
A MAIOR AUDIÊNCIA EM 26 ANOS!A NBA divulgou hoje que a audiência dos 10 primeiros jogos dos playoffs foi a maior nos últimos 26 anos.Ou seja, os melhores números do século! pic.twitter.com/R6E6PQstVm— NBA da bad (@NBAdabad) April 23, 2026
THE LAKERS LOOK TO GO UP 3-0 AND PUT THIS SERIES OUT OF REACH TONIGHT IN HOUSTON
With a win, we’d put ourselves in GOLDEN position to advance to the second round… and there’s a chance Austin Reaves makes his return
HERE WE GOOOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/hKUIQJXidG— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) April 24, 2026
Lakers vs. Rockets Game 3 Preview: Does Houston have a counter? https://t.co/PZxB2LcyeK— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 24, 2026
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS PLAY PLAYOFF BASKETBALL TODAY!!!With a 2-0 lead and Austin Reaves maybe returning, let’s take COMPLETE control of this series tonight
Deandre Ayton’s ‘thankless work’ has Lakers in control heading to Houston https://t.co/vQx7zeuSv2— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 24, 2026
Lakers-Rockets Game 3: What I’m Watching https://t.co/BDPFmd282Z— LakerTom (@LakerTom) April 24, 2026
It took Marcus Smart two playoff games as a member of the #Lakers to do something no one had ever done before.https://t.co/BkvVb9aEOx— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) April 23, 2026
Everything you need to know about when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves could be back on the floor for the Lakers from @jovanbuha ⬇️ (via Yahoo Sports Daily) pic.twitter.com/GBAw0Zd4tt— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) April 23, 2026
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