Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference)
Houston; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
LINE: Rockets -5.5; over/under is 207
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers lead series 3-0
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers look to clinch the series over the Houston Rockets in game four of the Western Conference first round. The Lakers defeated the Rockets 112-108 in overtime in the last matchup on Saturday. LeBron James led the Lakers with 29 points, and Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33.
The Rockets are 29-23 in Western Conference games. Houston leads the Western Conference in rebounding, averaging 48.1 boards. Sengun leads the Rockets with 8.9 rebounds.
The Lakers are 33-19 in Western Conference play. Los Angeles has an 8-3 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Rockets score 115.2 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 114.6 the Lakers allow. The Lakers score 6.3 more points per game (116.3) than the Rockets allow their opponents to score (110.0).
TOP PERFORMERS: Sengun is averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists for the Rockets. Amen Thompson is averaging 19.8 points over the last 10 games.
Deandre Ayton is scoring 12.5 points per game and averaging 8.0 rebounds for the Lakers. Rui Hachimura is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 6-4, averaging 117.2 points, 47.2 rebounds, 25.7 assists, 8.9 steals and 5.1 blocks per game while shooting 47.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.9 points per game.
Lakers: 7-3, averaging 110.9 points, 39.6 rebounds, 28.7 assists, 10.3 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 51.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.2 points.
INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle), Kevin Durant: day to day (ankle).
Lakers: Austin Reaves: day to day (oblique), Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.
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.
LAKERS 112, ROCKETS 108, OT
HOUSTON (AP) — LeBron James scored 29 points, including a tying 3-pointer with 13 seconds left in regulation, Marcus Smart had eight points in overtime and Los Angeles took advantage of Houston team missing Kevin Durant for a win to take a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference first-round series.
The Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and can sweep the series Sunday night in Houston.
Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, and Rui Hachimura added 22 points for the Lakers.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
SPURS 120, TRAIL BLAZERS 108
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Stephon Castle had 33 points and San Antonio overcame the absence of Victor Wembanyama to beat Portland 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.
Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) attempts to steal the ball from Los Angeles Lakers center/forward Jaxson Hayes (11) during the first quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
After defending their home court in the first two games, the Lakers headed to Houston knowing they would receive the Rockets’ best punch in Game 3. And that they did.
With the news they would be without Kevin Durant for the second time in the series, the Rockets played every bit like a team whose back was against the wall. They crashed the offensive glass, flew around the court and tried every option they had on the bench in search of a different result.
However, just like they did in the first two games, the Lakers endured every swing and matched Houston’s desperation en route to a nail-biting 112-108 win in overtime.
It wasn’t a perfect game. No playoff games typically are. But the Lakers proved once again that they can win ugly and in unfathomable ways. And that’s the reason they own a commanding 3-0 lead in the series with a chance for the sweep on Sunday.
Here are the biggest takeaways from the crazy win.
A fourth quarter (and overtime) in two parts
It may seem like it happened last week, but the Lakers led by 15 at one point in Game 3. They dictated the terms, their offense clicked and they looked like the team deserving to be up so convincingly in the series. Then the second half happened. And then it snowballed in the fourth quarter.
After trailing for the majority of the first half, the Rockets outscored the Lakers by 11 points in the second (excluding overtime). They clamped down on the Lakers’ offense and continued to be relentless in the paint and the glass on the other end. With 41 seconds left in regulation, the Rockets were suddenly up six. The brooms would have to be put back into closets across Los Angeles.
The Lakers had blown it. They had not only failed to step on the neck of their weakened foe, but had, even worse, afforded them hope — or so it seemed.
Like they have done all year, the Lakers ultimately came through in the clutch. LeBron James’ game-tying 3-pointer capped off a wild final minute and sent the contest into overtime, where the Lakers ultimately staved off the Rockets’ potentially final gasp.
All of the turmoil, injuries and close games the Lakers endured this season actually ended up preparing them for moments like this. The playoffs are fought in the trenches and it’s the trenches where the Lakers have thrived.
Marcus Smart’s omnipresence
If LeBron James’ clutch 3-pointer goes on to be the lasting picture of Game 3, then it was Marcus Smart’s fingerprints and sweat that were smeared over the lens.
To say Smart played a part in the win would be a severe understatement. In his 39 minutes, Smart finished with 21 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 7 stocks (5 steals and 2 blocks) and was the only starter with a positive net rating. The Lakers wound up needing every stat.
Beyond the all-encompassing numbers, Smart consistently found himself involved in every big play down the stretch.
It was his steal and three free throws that breathed life back into a Lakers’ team left for dead with 25 seconds left. It was his three that opened the scoring in overtime. And it was his timely rebounds and trips to the free-throw line that sealed it.
The Houston Rockets had possession with 27.8 seconds left in regulation and a 101-95 lead
Marcus Smart outscored Houston by himself 11-7 to end the game, including 8-7 by himself in overtime alone pic.twitter.com/xV5OXfCPgz
Smart’s Game 3 performance was the latest example of what has made him so valuable this season and the Lakers’ collective spirit in the first round.
No matter how severe the odds, Smart feels like he can beat them with sheer effort and guile alone. And so far, he’s proving he’s right.
A big night from the bench
Once it became known that the Lakers would be without Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves for a portion, if not all, of their series against the Rockets, it became evident that it would take a collective effort to extend their season.
After getting key contributions from the likes of Smart and Luke Kennard in the first two games, it was the bench in Game 3 that came up big.
The foursome of Jaxson Hayes, Jake LaRavia, Jarred Vanderbilt and Bronny James scored a combined 24 points and were each a positive in the plus/minus department. In contrast, the Rockets’ six reserves scored just 3 points and all finished with a negative plus/minus.
Outside of their totals, each player off the bench also chipped in from a momentum perspective.
Hayes’ hard rolls and athleticism on both ends helped alleviate a quiet offensive game from Ayton. LaRavia and Vanderbilt’s hard-nosed defense and second chance creation kept the team afloat during the rough patches. And Bronny James’ helpful second quarter minutes — highlighted by his alley-oop finish that was thrown from his father— provided a spark.
It was always going to take the entire team to make up for what is currently lost. And with all signs pointing to a near return for Reaves, the Lakers have not only succeeded in holding down the fort, but also put themselves in a better position than anyone could have imagined.
All stats courtesy of Cleaning the Glass unless otherwise stated. You can follow Alex on Bluesky at @alexregla.bsky.social.
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 24: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Round One Game Three of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The San Antonio Spurs had a tough time in Portland, dealing with physicality and athleticism, but they dug deep for their most impressive win of the season without the mighty Victor Wembanyama. They mucked up the Trail Blazers offensive sets and held them to 111.5 points per 100 possessions, which is good enough for the 37th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass.
They helped loads off the 3-point line to clog the inside, but Portland’s pressure was as unforgiving, forcing six early turnovers and making it equally as difficult to score in the paint with all the incoming help. Yet, the Spurs who stepped up the most were Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle. They gave the team direction when it was badly needed and took them to the finish line.
Observations
The Spurs faced their largest deficit of the night in the third quarter (15), and took a one-point lead going into the fourth thanks to their defense getting nasty and some big-time scoring from Harper, which carried over into crunch time. One questioned if it was a peak into the future, watching Castle and Harper bail out the team, but after pondering before the deadline of this write-up, the future is now. They are both great shot creators and will be the best backcourt in the NBA before long when they start sharing the court more often at the start of games and polish their 3-point shots.
Without Wembanyama (concussion), this is an even series. The Spurs’ front line was vulnerable because it had to go small when Luke Kornet sat, yet they were able to stop the Blazers from going wild on the glass. Still, the Blazers had no fear of attacking the lane for a bucket or kick-out pass, and they did damage in transition for most of the game. This also unlocked 29 free throw attempts for the Blazers, but them being so ineffective at the line was a big help to the Spurs.
Portland’s attack wasn’t anything special. The transition success stemmed from the defense forcing misses, plus turnovers and the Spurs’ inability to generate free throw attempts for 2.5 quarters, which cut the flow of the game.
Last season, Andrew Nembhard was the player whose stock went up the most in the playoffs. This year, it’s maybe Scoot Henderson, whose hot streak continued behind a stream of 3-point shots in the first half, but he went cold after intermission.
Jrue Holiday is a timeless baller, which adds credibility to any advice he gives the youngsters. He was giving it to the Spurs for three quarters, attacking through screen rolls and did well denying the ball. His fingerprints were all over the third quarter, when the Blazers built their largest lead of the game (15).
Deni Avdija is one of the biggest foul baiters in the league, which got him a ton of free throw attempts to soften the blow of his poor shooting. He even drew two of Fox’s three first-half fouls, which limited his aggression following intermission.
The Trail Blazers came into this game, making only 30.3 percent of their 3-point attempts, and the only spot they shot well from deep was the left corner. They shot 36.8 percent this time, but that number is affected mostly by the Spurs defense making them tighter after intermission.
Carter Bryant was instant impact when he came in, hustling to break up transition and screen for his teammates. Yet he was a bit exposed because the Blazers didn’t want to guard him closely for lack of a dependable outside shot, which made things harder for his teammates. Still, he was way more of a positive than a negative.
TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 24:Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Toronto Raptors passes the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 24, 2025 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Toronto Raptors announced Friday that point guard Immanuel Quickley will not be available for the remainder of the team’s first round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Quickley, who was recovering from a hamstring issue, re-injured it during the rehabilitation process. The team added that an update will be provided “as appropriate”.
After several injury-plagued seasons, Quickley appeared in 70 this past year – his most since 2022-2023 when he was a member of the New York Knicks. He is also one of the team’s better three-point shooters at 37% and he attempts the most threes per game on the team. That floor spacing is imperative on a team that is challenged offensively at keeping up with their opponents when the scoring starts coming. On the year, Quickley averaged 16.4 points and 5.9 assists per game.
In his absence, the Raptors have started Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter so far in the series. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who was very effective in Game 3 with 22 points off the bench, could also start in Quickley’s place.
The Cavs catch a break with Quickley being ruled out for the series, which narrows the margin of error even more for the Raptors. Cleveland’s offense was very poor in Game 3, but they muscled their way through the first half with a tie and put themselves in position to win entering the fourth quarter. The final score is not indicative of how much the Cavs fought back, so there is good reason to believe the offense will look better in Game 4 just due to regression back to the mean. Toronto, meanwhile, shot 61% from deep in Game 3 – well above their season average.
They did not necessarily need him for Game 3, but Toronto certainly would have liked to see Quickley on the court for another near must-win Game 4. The Raptors trail the series 2-1, and its is fair to say that the first two games are more indicative of what the baseline is for these two teams. The Cavs have had one of the best offenses since the All-Star break, and the Raptors have struggled mightily in that same timeframe.
The Cavs and Raptors will square off in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
“The desperate team normally wins in the playoffs,” Redick said, “the more desperate team.”
Despite missing two of their best players in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for the entire series, the Lakers have been the better team in the matchup.
And on Friday night, they were also the more desperate team.
After trailing by six points fewer than 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Lakers pulled off a miraculous comeback against the Kevin Durant-less Rockets, beating the Rockets 112-108 in overtime on Friday night at Toyota Center to take a three-game lead in the series.
“There’s a lot of things that happened that were not perfect, including some stuff I did,” Redick said postgame. “But you just kind of get onto the next play. And that, to me, is a hallmark of poise; that’s a hallmark of composure. It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs. Even without KD, they’re a great basketball team and that was a huge test for us, especially in that moment where we’re down six.”
Despite trailing by six points with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Lakers pulled off a miraculous comeback against the Kevin Durant-less Rockets APBut the Rockets scratched and clawed their way to victory after falling behind by double digits in the first half. AP
Marcus Smart had 21 points, 10 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocked shots.
Rui Hachimura scored 22 points, including 16 in the first quarter, while Luke Kennard added 14 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds. Jaxson Hayes had 12 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.
The Rockets scratched and clawed their way back into the game after falling behind by 15 in the first half, trailing by 11 at halftime and five at the end of the third quarter.
Alperen Sengun (33 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists), Amen Thompson (26 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists) and Jabari Smith Jr. (24 points, 6 rebounds) all had their best games of the series so far.
But the Lakers prevailed.
The Lakers are up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series against the Rockets, all guaranteeing that they’ll advance to the second round of the playoffs. AP
What it means
The Lakers are up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series against the Rockets, all guaranteeing that they’ll advance to the second round of the playoffs.
No team in NBA history has come back from down 0-3 in a playoff series, with the teams that were up 3-0 advancing all 125 times since the NBA moved to a 16-team playoff in 1984.
The Lakers haven’t been up 3-0 in a playoff series since 2010 when they swept the Jazz in the second round.
Turning point
With the Rockets leading 101-98 with 20 seconds left in regulation, James tapped the ball out of Sheppard’s hand from behind to Smart in the frontcourt.
Smart passed the ball to James, who passed to Kennard, who passed back to James, who hit a corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 101 apiece with 14 seconds left.
Hayes got the defensive stop on Sengun on the Rockets’ ensuing possession, with James grabbing the defensive rebound.
James missed the potential game-winning 3 at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime.
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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots a three point basket during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A couple of weeks ago, the thought of the Lakers being lucky injury-wise was laughable. However, now that they’ve played three playoff games, LA is trending in a positive direction with its injuries, and other Western Conference teams are in trouble.
The Denver Nuggets are trailing 2-1 in their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Aaron Gordon missed Game 3 with tightness in his calf. The San Antonio Spurs are tied 1-1 against the Portland Trail Blazers, but were without Victor Wembanyama in Game 3 due to a concussion.
And the Oklahoma City Thunder may be up 2-0 against the Phoenix Suns, but Jalen Williams sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated weekly.
The Lakers, on the other hand, are in front of the Houston Rockets 3-0, have suffered no additional injuries and Austin Reaves is inching closer to a return.
Barring a setback, his return is imminent. LA is winning, Reaves is returning and, suddenly, a season that felt like a loss has gotten interesting once again.
So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.
LeBron had a slow start to this game, but he certainly picked up his production as the contest progressed. He had an amazing moment in the first half, lobbing the ball to Bronny and adding another historic moment to this family affair.
In the third, LeBron scored some timely baskets to keep the Rockets away and when Houston took over late in the fourth, Bron poked the ball away from Reed Sheppard and hit a huge three to extend the game to overtime.
He was incredible, and as LA’s leader, he’s found a way to get this team out to a 3-0 lead despite their two other stars being unavailable. This series will be part of his highlight reel in a career filled with iconic moments.
Hachimura was an offensive monster in this game. He started the game a perfect 6-6 from the field and remained impactful the rest of the way. Hachimura is a playoff riser, and he’s been that throughout his Lakers tenure.
Ayton had a rough game and was benched once again during clutch time in the fourth. However, he played in overtime, won a jump ball over Alperen Şengün and had some good defensive possessions against the Rockets’ big.
He needs to be better, but he stepped up in small ways when it mattered late in this game.
The Lakers don’t win this game without Marcus Smart. He scored 21 points, had some huge defensive rebounds and knocked down some clutch free throws in overtime to bury the Rockets.
He’s as tough as nails on the court, and his intensity is something you simply can’t teach. He establishes this team’s identity and makes everyone around him better by his mere presence.
Hayes didn’t dominate in this game, but he had a monster dunk in the first half and had a key stop against Şengün in the closing seconds to extend the game to overtime.
He was a defensive liability late in this contest, but the Lakers won and the timely stop helps the outlook on his overall performance.
LaRavia had some awful misses, was turning the ball over, stumbling on the ground and started to get passive with his shot attempts in the second half. Props to LaRavia for playing through an ankle sprain, but he has been horrendous.
Hopefully, he plays better because the Lakers have a tight rotation and can’t afford to have someone playing this badly.
It turns out that if you play Vando more, his offense improves and his defense remains elite. He had some nice passes in this game and an impressive up-and-under finish at the rim.
I doubt head coach JJ Redick will keep him in the rotation once Luka Dončić and Reaves come back, but he should seriously consider it.
Grade: B
Bronny James
9 minutes, 5 points, 1 foul, 2-2 FG, 1-1 3PT, +4
Bronny had a great moment in the second quarter, converting on a lob from LeBron, and a short shift in the fourth that was okay. The growth he’s had recently is impressive, but it still might be a bit too much playing time for a close contest in the postseason.
Grade: B
Nick Smith Jr.
Smith Jr. appeared only on the final play of regulation and will also not be graded.
JJ Redick
It wasn’t a perfect game for Redick. He couldn’t help the Lakers as they struggled offensively in the third and playing Bronny in the fourth was rough.
Still, he made the right calls in overtime, going with Ayton, and used his timeouts effectively down the stretch. Redick has done a superb job with his game plan throughout this series and Game 3 was no exception.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 24: Makai Lemon rings the bell before the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Eagles were busy handling business on Friday night as they navigated Day 2 of the NFL Draft, but the real action was at the Sixers game.
Not only was first-round pick Makai Lemon inaugurated into Philly sports culture by ringing the bell ahead of the Sixers-Celtics game, but he took in the game court-side next to DeVonta Smith. Tank Bigsby was also in attendance, and later in the night, after the Eagles officially traded for Jonathan Greenard, it turns out the former Vikings edge rusher was in the building for the Sixers’ game, too.
John Clark tracked down Jonathan Greenard in record time 😂
Greenard spoke to John Clark about the environment from Philly fans was exactly what he was expecting, and while he doesn’t quite know how he’ll fit into Vic Fangio’s scheme, he called the DC a genius and said they’ll figure it out.
It’s always cool to see the connection between the Philly sports teams, and there’s nothing like a handful of Eagles — new and old — taking in some playoff basketball together, surrounded by the same fans who will be cheering for them in a few months.
HOUSTON — 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 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.
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 made two free throws with 35.5 seconds to go to make it 111-105. Reed Sheppard made 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 added 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. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.
The Lakers led by as many as 15 early, but were down six in the fourth before Smart was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 25.4 seconds to go after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws to get the Lakers within three.
James, who had 13 rebounds, then stole the ball from Sheppard and his 3-pointer tied it at 101-all with 13.1 seconds to go in the fourth.
The Rockets had a chance to take the lead after that, but Sengun’s 7-footer was off. James grabbed the rebound and called a timeout. He grabbed the inbounds pass and had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but his 3-point attempt bounced off the rim to send it to OT.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics controls the ball against Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers in the fourth quarter during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
2025-26 Sixers Bell Ringer season standings: Tyrese Maxey – 22.5 VJ Edgecombe – 16 Joel Embiid – 11.5 Paul George – 8 Kelly Oubre Jr. – 5 Justin Edwards – 4 Andre Drummond – 3 Quentin Grimes – 3 Jared McCain :’( – 3 Dominick Barlow – 2 MarJon Beauchamp – 2 Adem Bona – 1 Porter Martone – 1 Cam Payne – 1 Jabari Walker – 1 Trendon Watford – 1 15th roster spot – 1
The Sixers welcomed the Celtics to Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night for a massive Game 3 in South Philly. The teams came in dead locked at a 1-1 series tie after the Sixers stole Tuesday night’s Game 2 in Boston.
This game was highly contested from start to finish as the Celtics got out to a five-point lead after the first quarter behind an early onslaught from three.
The Celtics continued their hot shooting from three into the second quarter, but the Sixers stellar two-point defense kept them in the ball game despite some struggles of their own offensively. The Celtics took a 54-47 lead to the intermission.
The Sixers won their first quarter of the night in the third 27-25 behind a steady dose of Tyrese Maxey and Paul George. The Celtics held just a five-point advantage going to the fourth.
The Sixers took a brief 85-84 lead early in the final frame and the crowd was as raucous as it’s been in years in hopes that maybe this would be a breakthrough moment in this rivalry that has haunted the Sixers so much over the years. The Sixers trailed by just one with two minutes to go before a Jayson Tatum three coming off a Sixers defensive breakdown gave the Celtics a four-point lead. A George bucket with 1:40 to go cut the lead to two yet again. Another defensive breakdown and Pritchard three stretched the Celtics’ lead to five points. After two Sixers free throws that made it a one-possession game, the Sixers forced a miss but an offensive rebound and kick out that led to a Tatum iso three would be the nail in the coffin.
The Celtics went on to take a 108-100 win and a 2-1 series lead.
Tyrese Maxey: 31 points, 6 assists, 2 blocks, 12-for-31 from the field
Tyrese Maxey went out on his shield in this one firing until the bitter end. Maxey hit multiple big momentum swinging shots to keep the Sixers in it all night and even momentarily give them the lead in the fourth. A couple late misses while Boston hit three consecutive threes ultimately buried the Sixers, but not in fault of the efforts of the star guard.
Paul George: 18 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, 7-for-14 from the field
Paul George is still really good at basketball, even if he’s not the explosive near 30-points-a-night scorer he once was at his peak. The Sixers ran a lot of their late game offense through George who either found space for himself or found his teammates for high percentage shots. George is still far and away the best and most impactful defender on this Sixers team, who struggled to contain the Celtics’ perimeter onslaught when George isn’t directly involved in the action.
Dave Portnoy was not amused by the amount of passion from the Amazon Prime Video broadcast booth during Friday’s NBA playoff game between the Celtics and 76ers.
Portnoy was livid by the announcing crew’s enthusiasm during the first-round Game 3 matchup, posting a video on X captioned, “This may be the worse annoucing (sic) crew I’ve ever heard. They are going bananas every shot.”
The firebrand sports personality eviscerated Eric Collins — who is known for his intense calls as the Hornets play-by-play caller — for being too passionate for a game that was still far from being over.
David Portnoy of Barstool Sports hosts The Pool After Dark at Harrah’s Resort on Saturday May 11, 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tom Briglia
“Dude what are these announcers doing?” Portnoy said in the video as Collins went wild for a 3-pointer by Sixers big man Andre Drummond with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. “They’re acting like it’s Game 7, final shot. It’s an open three, what are we doing?
“Eric Collins, f–king put your d–k back in your pants there’s three minutes. Every shot he’s acting like it’s Game 7 at the horn to win it. This is unnacceptable announcing.”
Eric Collins speaks during the Dell Curry #30 jersey retirement ceremony during the game between the Orlando Magic and the Charlotte Hornets on March 19, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NBAE via Getty Images
Collins, who has been the voice of the Hornets for over a decade, has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier announcers for his energy he brings to each game, oftentimes loudly screaming during certain stretches of play.
NBA insider Bill Simmons said earlier this month that the Hornets have the best broadcasts in the league because of Collins.
“He really cares,” Simmons said on his self-titled podcast, “and like somebody will make a shot against them, it’d be two minutes left, they’re down one. And then some f–k up, and somebody will hit a three against them, and he’ll just say some crazy sentence like, ‘Oh, isn’t that a chainsaw on the tibia?’
“He just has this endless thing of crazy comments. The Hornets are hanging on like a hat on a screen door. He’s a ten out of ten.”
HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 24: Marcus Smart #36 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets during Round 1 Game 3 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2026 at the Toyota Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A miracle close to regulation saw the Lakers force overtime before controlling the extra session to steal Game 3, 112-108, and take a commanding series lead.
Houston trailed by as many as 15 in the first half but was the aggressor for the entire second half. Up six with just under 30 seconds left, the Rockets capitulated, allowing the Lakers to tie the game and even have a chance to win it before overtime.
LA never trailed in overtime, built a multi-possession lead in the final minutes and knocked down clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
The Lakers’ bench outscored the Rockets 24-3, a huge flip from Game 2. That helped LA overcome allowing 18 offensive rebounds.
It was a 3-pointer party early as both teams drained a pair of long-range efforts each. Rui Hachimura was leading LA with a fast 11 points while LeBron James and Luke Kennard were the only other Lakers to score with three points each. Jabari Smith Jr. had six points for Houston.
At the 6:53 mark, Los Angeles was up by four.
Smith Jr. picked up two fouls and a technical foul, forcing him to the bench. It was an evenly matched affair with neither team able to grab a commanding lead. Jaxson Hayes’s seven points off the bench provided a massive spark that led to an 11-0 scoring run.
With 2:20 left in the quarter, LA was up by 11.
An 11-0 run for the Lakers cam as LeBron got some rest, putting the visitors up 34-23, with Jaxson Hayes making big plays on both sides of the court. His alley-oop finish from Kennard capped the push.
Houston then hit back, cutting the deficit to four. Hachimura responded with one of his signature midrange jumpers. He had 16 points, which was a career high for him in a quarter.
At the end of the first, the purple and gold were up by seven.
Smith Jr. opened the second period with a triple for the Rockets. Jarred Vanderbilt responded with a tip-in off a Jake LaRavia missed shot on the other end. LeBron began taking over, scoring seven points.
LeBron also threw a lob to Bronny James, who had five points off the bench, for a layup that had everyone buzzing.
The Lakers pushed their run to 14-4 and built their biggest lead of the half at 15 points. Amen Thompson tried to stop some of the bleeding with an easy dunk. LA suddenly went cold from the field, missing five shots in a row.
LeBron converted on a pair of free throws and Kennard also converted on a midrange jumper that helped Los Angeles keep a double-digit lead of 11 at halftime.
The Lakers head into halftime with a 63-52 lead, riding 16 points apiece from LeBron and Hachimura, and 18 assists on 23 made FG's, led by 6 from Smart.
Houston is +6 on the O glass, in part because they shot just 37.2% to LA's 57.5%.
Marcus Smart’s layup opened the second half. The Rockets then slowly started chipping into LA’s lead, making it a single-digit deficit. Los Angeles was forced to call a timeout as the lead shrank to six.
Out of the break, Deandre Ayton scored his first points of the night on a layup.
Reed Sheppard completed a three-point play to make it a five-point deficit. Thompson then grabbed an LA turnover and dunked on the other end. Los Angeles’ offense was suddenly completely non-existent.
Kennard scored on a much-needed midrange jumper.
Thompson was the driving force for Houston as his five-point surge cut the deficit to one. Hachimura drained a triple to give the Lakers some cushion, his first points since the first quarter.
Both teams ended the quarter trading buckets with LA holding onto a five-point lead going into the fourth.
Down 2-0 here at home, Houston really picked up its defense in the 3rd Q, holding the Lakers to 12 points until a late 3 from LeBron and a layup from Vanderbilt in the final minute allowed LA an 80-75 lead heading into the 4th.
LeBron converted on a layup off the assist from Vanderbilt to open the final frame. Houston missed their first two shot attempts before Smith Jr. drained two 3-pointers, helping the Rockets inch even closer.
At the 6:50 mark, Los Angeles was up by four.
Thompson then tied the game on back-to-back buckets thanks to Lakers’ turnovers. Smart tried to help LA stay in the lead with a layup, but Sheppard drained a triple that gave the Rockets the lead by one with 4:59 left.
Houston’s lead grew to four with 3:32 left.
Hayes threw down a dunk that made it a two-point deficit for Los Angeles. LA was having the absolute worst time keeping the ball in their hands and couldn’t convert on shots. Alperen Şengün made it a four-point lead for Houston with 49 seconds left.
LeBron turned the ball over, and it led to another two from Şengün. After a rushed 3-pointer from LeBron missed, Smart came away with an improbable steal and was fouled from behind the arc. He converted on all three free throws.
An incredible turn of events, as Houston had the ball, up 6, with 28 seconds left:
– Marcus Smart steal – Smart draws 3-point shooting foul and hits 3 FT’s – LeBron steals the ball from Reed Sheppard – LeBron hits a 3
In the most insane turn of events, LeBron forced a steal on the next possession and drained a triple that tied the game with 13 seconds left. Houston missed their shot attempt, and LeBron caught the ball and called a timeout with 1.2 seconds left.
LeBron had the ball and missed the shot, leading to overtime.
Smart started the scoring in overtime with a corner three. After one free throw from Hachimura, Los Angeles was up four. Şengün scored again, but Hachimura answered on the other end with a layup.
The teams traded baskets with LA’s leading by two with 1:46 left. The game turned scrappy and ugly with multiple jump balls and missed shots but few points. Smart broke the seal with a pair of free throws off an offensive rebound, making it a four-point lead for LA with 46 seconds left.
Smith Jr. took a 3-pointer and missed it. Smart rebounded the ball and was fouled before converting on two more clutch free throws.
With 35 seconds left and Los Angeles up six. Sheppard connected on a triple. The Rockets then fouled Smart again and he split the pair.
Houston missed a series of threes and shots in the final seconds as LA pulled off an improbable win.
Key Player Stats
LeBron finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. Hachimura ended with 22 points, shooting 8-14 from the field. Smart logged 21 points with four rebounds, 10 assists, five steals and two blocks.
Kennard had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Hayes pitched in with 12 points off the bench. Bronny scored five points in nine minutes of play. Vanderbilt notched five points with six rebounds.
Game 4 will be on Sunday against the Houston Rockets at 6:30 PM PT.
The NBA playoffs on NBC continue Saturday afternoon with the New York Knicks playing the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of their first-round series. The game will be on NBC and Peacock.
Atlanta leads the series 2-1 after winning the past two games. While New York won Game 1, 113-102, the Hawks have made their money with 1-point wins: 107-106 in Game 2 and 109-108 in Game 3. The last win came from a go-ahead jumper by C.J. McCollum.
McCollum has done heroic things for the Hawks in the past two games in particular, with crucial jumpers in the final minute of both outings. It seems to be a trade win for the franchise after bringing in McCollum from Washington on January 9 and sending Trae Young to the Wizards.
Teams that lead a best-of-seven series 3-1 go on to win the series 95.6% of the time, according to NBC Sports research, meaning it is do or die for the Knicks. They know as much, with New York guard Deuce McBride saying Friday, "I would say we're playing for our lives."
See below for additional information on the Knicks-Hawks game and how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.
The Knicks entered this season with NBA Finals expectations but now find themselves in unfamiliar territory.
“It’s a seven-game series for a reason," Knicks head coach Mike Brown said after Game 3. "Stuff’s gonna happen. Plenty of teams have been down one-two. Oklahoma City was down last year (in the west semifinals and NBA Finals) and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re gonna win it or anything like that... but you take it one game at a time. This should sting because we gave ourselves a chance despite not playing our best basketball.”
One would think the Hawks have the advantage in Game 4, especially on a two-game win streak and with McCollum in friendly territory after being brandished a villain at Madison Square Garden — claims he denies, saying, "I am no villain. I am a nice guy with two kids and a wife."
The Knicks' McBride took the bulk of the minutes and scored 15 points off the bench in Game 3 after Mikal Bridges was held scoreless — the first time Bridges has been held scoreless in 60 playoff games. Bridges was benched for most of the second half, calling into question which of the two should start in Game 4.
The back-to-back 1-point wins by Atlanta go against New York's 21-13 regular season record in clutch games, marking a staggering deviation. This is the first series to feature back-to-back 1-point wins by the same team since 2006, when Cleveland (then coached by Brown) beat Washington by 1 point in back-to-back games (Games 5 and 6) to win its first round series.
NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the first round and 11 games in the conference semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock.
Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?
Peacock’s NBA playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including the first round, the conference semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.
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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and head coach Steve Kerr in the fourth quarter during an NBA preseason game against the LA Clippers at Chase Center in San Francisco, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. The Clippers won 106-103. (Photo by Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors will enter the 2026-27 NBA season with the second-longest tenured coach in the NBA, unless they enter it behind a new voice and a new leader, who will seek to re-open the championship window for Steph Curry’s final years and build a post-Curry future.
After last Friday’s season-ending loss to the Phoenix Suns, Steve Kerr told reporters that he would take “a week or two” to decide on his future. There have been few reports, as Kerr seems genuinely unsure as to what his next step is, though there’s been plenty of speculation. Per the latest updates, Kerr won’t be making a decision until next week, at the earliest.
So what, exactly, is on his mind? What is he weighing as he decides whether to return or cruise into retirement (or perhaps a job in the media)?
It’s impossible to know exactly what Kerr is thinking, but we do, at least, have a fairly good idea. Let’s start with what we know.
The job is his if he wants it
Let’s start with the important facts: the Warriors are not contemplating moving on from Kerr. They are waiting to see if Kerr is moving on from them. We can speculate all we want about whether Joe Lacob and Mike Dunleavy Jr. think Kerr is the perfect coach for the team, and my guess is that if Curry were retiring, there might not be an offer on the table for Kerr.
But Curry is not retiring. He two-time MVP has another year left on his contract and, after the season ended, reaffirmed his desire to play “multiple” more seasons, and indicated that he is open to contract extension talks in the coming months.
Lacob may pay the bills, and Dunleavy may make the decisions, but Curry runs the show. His stated preference, both publicly and privately, is for Kerr to coach the team. And as long as that is true, there’s a job offer on the table for Kerr.
That doesn’t mean it’s without stipulations (more on that in a moment). But there are no meetings being held to determine whether or not the Warriors should bring back Kerr. This is his decision, not the team’s.
But…
The Warriors want some changes
The postmortem reports from the season indicate that the front office — and the analytics team — want Kerr to make some changes. There’s been a frustration with the team’s turnover rate, which was the fourth-highest mark in the NBA this year (and while there are plenty of good teams that turn the ball over regularly, the best usually don’t — the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and San Antonio Spurs all ranked in the top five lowest turnover rates this season). There’s a desire to be less reliant on the three (the Warriors finished first in the NBA in three-point attempt rate, despite Curry missing 39 games and the team finishing just 19th in three-point percentage). And, presumably, there’s a hope that the Dubs can find a better way to flourish in the minutes when Curry sits, which has plagued them ever since Kevin Durant left town.
Furthermore…
Golden State wants a longer-term commitment
It seems evident that the stress of Kerr’s contract status weighed on many people throughout the year, and it’s not the first time that that’s happened. And it’s equally clear that the team wants to build a foundation that is fairly stable.
All of that makes for a funny situation. The Warriors surely will have a contract offer on the table for Kerr … but only if it’s for multiple years. I would guess that if Kerr re-signs, it will be for a deal that matches the length of whatever Curry’s timeline is. Perhaps a three-year deal for the former, and a two-year extension for the latter.
And then, of course, let’s not forget…
Kerr is still having fun
If you had told me a few months ago that Kerr would walk away from the team, I would tell you it’s because the job is no longer fun for him. It’s a taxing industry, and even the sunniest people can get worn down by it. Remember how unhappy and stressed out Klay Thompson appeared by the time he left town? And that’s Klay Freaking Thompson!
The Warriors have been absent a large amount of joy in recent years, and it would be understandable if it took its toll on Kerr.
But it seems like it hasn’t. Kerr appeared energized late in the season by players like Gui Santos and Pat Spencer. He appeared optimistic about the future of the team with Jimmy Butler III in the fold. And most importantly, when talking with the media after the season-ending defeat, Kerr stated emphatically that he still loves coaching.
Kerr is fairly transparent. If his holdup was that he wasn’t sure he still enjoyed this, he would have stated as much. But he didn’t. Instead, he said simply, “These jobs all have an expiration date.” And that gives us the insight we need to determine the biggest thing at play.
Does he think he’s right for the job?
Kerr does not always follow the book. He’s been a part of tension in the locker room, and, more notably, in the front office. Recent reports suggest that some at the top of the organization have grown frustrated with his continued expression of left-leaning political opinions (a bold stance for a team that has had no issue employing players with domestic violence histories).
But he’s still a company man at heart. And, like his star player, he is as selfless as he is ruthlessly competitive.
It feels abundantly clear that Kerr is not going to pull the Curry card. He could, to be clear. But he won’t. He’s not going to return simply because he can.
In short, if Kerr is to coach the Warriors next year, it will be because the Warriors want him to coach the team, not just because he can.
That means making the aforementioned concessions. He’ll need to be willing to modernize his offensive system, and possibly upgrade his coaching staff. He’ll have to commit to at least two, and probably three years. He’ll have to show a plan for how to develop young players, including the team’s upcoming lottery pick.
The Warriors would likely begrudgingly sign Kerr to a deal without those concessions, but Kerr is big enough to show himself out rather than back ownership into a corner.
So what it really comes down to is this: can the two sides find a happy compromise? Kerr will meet with Lacob and Dunleavy and, in all likelihood, he’ll mostly be sussing out whether those two actually want him back, or if they’re just willing to bring him back to appease Curry. They likely do want him back, as long as some concessions are made, and Kerr will have to determine whether he still wants to coach with those concessions.
It’s a little reminiscent of Bruce Bochy leaving the San Francisco Giants. The organization had just made a dramatic front office shift, and while Bochy could have used the legacy card to stay around longer, he understood that the team was ready to move in a new direction, and he spared everyone the awkwardness that could have ensued.
No one knows what Kerr will choose, least of all himself. But that, it seems, is what it will come down to. As much as he still enjoys this, as much fun as he’s having, and as much as he wants to be around Curry and Draymond Green for a few more seasons, he has to check the expiration date.
PHILADELPHIA — 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 on Friday night and take a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference first-round series.
Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.
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.
The more games Embiid misses, the more Maxey and VJ Edgecombe have played their way into the faces of the franchise.
Fans were already on their feet when the Sixers brought the ball down in the fourth and roared when Maxey let a 28-footer fly and hit it for an 85-84 lead.
Yet growing pains are inevitable in the playoff process.
Tatum took the lead right back on a goaltending call against Edgecombe. Edgecombe paired his second double-double of the series - 10 points and 10 rebounds — with a brutal 0-for-7 effort from 3-point range. With Boston up 90-85, Edgecombe was whistled for his third foul when he smacked Brown on his way to the bucket. Brown hit both to stretch the lead to seven.
Boston’s 32-point Game 1 win stands as the outlier so far of two otherwise fantastic playoff games. What has stayed steady, the team with the 3-point edge wins. Boston hit 16 in Game 1 and the 76ers had the advantage with 19 in Game 2. Led by five each from Tatum and Payton Pritchard, the Celtics made 20 of 47 in Game 3 while the Sixers were just 12 of 35.
The Sixers got only a combined 22 points from Embiid replacements Adem Bona and Andre Drummond.
