The Los Angeles Lakers have moved within one win of sweeping the Houston Rockets after stealing Game 3 in Houston in overtime, 112-108. The decisive blow came from a 41-year-old LeBron James, who played 45 minutes and finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists — and in doing so became the oldest player in NBA history to lead his team in scoring in a playoff game, a record he had only just set three days earlier.
Marcus Smart was sensational down the stretch, draining critical free throws and producing 21 points, 10 assists and five steals — the second straight playoff game in which he posted five steals. Rui Hachimura added 22 points on 4-of-7 shooting, while Jaxson Hayes gave the Lakers a vital lift off the bench with 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting, four rebounds and two big blocks. Luka Doncic, easing back into rhythm, managed 14 points but was just 1-of-6 from three.
It almost slipped away. The Rockets out-physicaled the Lakers through the third and fourth quarters before unraveling in crunch time. On the Nightcap show, host Shannon Sharpe was blunt about how Los Angeles had escaped.
"This game right here almost got away from the Lakers because they let the Houston Rockets out-physical them in the third quarter and in the fourth quarter, and it almost got away from them," Sharpe said. "Lakers should have lost this game. If they had lost this, I would have been on them tonight."
Sharpe argued the result was less about Lakers brilliance and more about Houston's lack of playoff scar tissue. With Kevin Durant, Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams unavailable, Houston leaned on its young rotation — and watched it crack.
"I think the Lakers got lucky," Sharpe said. "It's just the inexperience of the Rockets. They don't know how to close out no game, bro. Some of the turnovers the Rockets were having in that fourth quarter — I'm like, with the lead, just hold on to the ball. They're throwing the ball ahead. It got picked off."
Sharpe singled out the moment Houston, leading by six with under 30 seconds left, fouled Marcus Smart on a perimeter possession to send him to the line. "Why would you foul Marcus Smart?" he asked. "I just want to know. Tell me why."
His co-host echoed the verdict. The Rockets, missing their veterans, simply did not have the experience to close. "When your veterans are missing and you're leaning on these young dudes, they will find a way to lose the game. They found a way to lose tonight."
There was also a moment for the next generation. JJ Redick gave Bronny James nine minutes off the bench, and the rookie responded with five points, going 1-of-1 from three and 2-of-2 overall — quietly significant in a game of this magnitude.
"They trust him enough," Sharpe said of the decision to play Bronny. "In a game like this, of this magnitude — this ain't a regular season game. This is a playoff. Your actual season can end if you don't take care of business. And they trust him enough."
The numbers behind the series are now unforgiving for Houston. No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit. The all-time record stands at 0-159. Game 4 is on Sunday night, and if the Rockets cannot push it back to LA, this will become a stain on Durant's already complicated playoff legacy. Sharpe, for one, doesn't see it being avoided.
"I just think the Rockets [are] too inexperienced," he said. "They played pretty good at home. They got some decent numbers across the board. But on the road, they ain't going to be able to compete."
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*Originally published on [NBA News Global](https://nbanews.global/article/lebron-lakers-3-0-rockets-overtime-game-3-2026). Visit for full coverage.*
