LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and the Los Angeles Lakers took advantage of a sloppy Houston Rockets team missing Kevin Durant for a 112-108 win Friday night to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.

Helped by two turnovers from the Rockets, the Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.

Los Angeles opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Smart to take a 107-103 lead. Alperen Sengun made a basket for Houston before Smart made two free throws to push the lead to 109-105 with 52 seconds left.

Smart sank two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed Sheppard hit a 3-pointer to get Houston within three with less than 30 seconds left in overtime but Smart made 1 of 2 free throws to push the lead to 112-108.

Smart finished with 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers.

Even with Durant out for a second game in this series – this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury – the Rockets were in position to close out the game after James had consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead.

Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds and Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.

THAT'S A BAAAAAD MAN pic.twitter.com/8a0uN7xjBY

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 25, 2026

Spurs rally without Wembanyama

Stephon Castle had 33 points and the San Antonio Spurs overcame the absence of Victor Wembanyama to beat the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 for a 2-1 series lead.

Dylan Harper added 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Spurs, who trailed by 15 points in the third quarter. Game 4 of the first-round series Sunday at the Moda Center.

Before the game, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson announced that Wembanyama would not play while he continues to recover from a concussion he sustained in Game 2 on Tuesday night.

Jrue Holiday had 29 points for the Trail Blazers, who were making their first home playoff appearance since 2021, but couldn't ultimately take advantage Wembanyama's absence.

Portland led 82-67 in the third quarter, but the Spurs clawed back with a 21-5 run to take an 88-87 lead into the final period. Castle's step-back jumper and a pair of free throws gave the Spurs a 105-95 lead midway through the fourth and the Trail Blazers collapsed.

Wembanyama – the league’s first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and one of three finalists for the Most Valuable Player award – went down in the second quarter of the Spurs' 106-103 Game 2 loss in San Antonio.

Johnson would not elaborate on Wembanyama's condition, only to say he was progressing.

COMPLETED THE COMEBACK! @FrostBank | #ad pic.twitter.com/PcPfYSCrG6

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 25, 2026

Tatum, Brown lead Celtics to 2-1 lead

Jayson Tatum continued to shine in his return from injury with 25 points and Jaylen Brown also scored 25 to help the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.

Tatum was 5 of 9 on 3-pointers in just his 19th game this season following surgery last May to repair his Achilles tendon. Brown scored eight straight points late in the fourth for a 96-92 lead that put some distance between them and a Sixers team brimming with confidence following a surprise Game 2 win in Boston.

Tatum buried a 3 for a 100-96 lead and Payton Pritchard hit a step-back 3 to make it 103-98. Tatum, still looking to regain his top form after not playing for nearly a year, may just be there and hit the final 3-point dagger for the 106-100 lead that even sent Allen Iverson headed toward the exit.

Philadelphia played again without center Joel Embiid for Game 3 as he continues to ease his way back into practice following an appendectomy on April 9.

Tyrese Maxey scored 31 points and Paul George added 18 for Philadelphia, which hosts Game 4 on Sunday.

They say act like you've been there before. He did

: https://t.co/XoGpXqdGMQ pic.twitter.com/bqlsxwntxi

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 25, 2026