Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Prediction, Preview and Starting Lineups Tonight (Apr. 24) | Game 3, 2026 NBA Playoffs
Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets Game 3 preview.
Kevin Durant
“It's on him to find ways to get himself involved” – Jabari Smith Jr. calls on Kevin Durant to take over for the Rockets – Basketball Network
“It's on him to find ways to get himself involved” - Jabari Smith Jr. calls on Kevin Durant to take over for the Rockets Basketball Network
“His Nervous System Breaking Down”: NBA Fans React to Kevin Durant Getting Downgraded to Questionable With Brand New Injury vs Lakers
It hasn't been an easy series for Kevin Durant, and it's only about to get tougher after he has been ruled as questionable for Game 3.
“That Burner is Going to Be Cooking”: Fans React to Jabari Smith Jr. Advising Kevin Durant to Figure it Out On Double Teams
Fans react to Jabari Smith Jr.'s comments about Kevin Durant needing to "find ways" to have an impact against the LA Lakers' blitz.
Brian Windhorst explains why it's unfair to blame the Rockets' lack of success on Kevin Durant: "Ime Udoka hasn't done a great job" – Basketball Network
Brian Windhorst explains why it's unfair to blame the Rockets' lack of success on Kevin Durant: "Ime Udoka hasn't done a great job" Basketball Network
Jabari Smith Jr. puts pressure on Kevin Durant with blunt take vs. Lakers
The Houston Rockets are staring down an 0-2 hole against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. With the series shifting to Houston for Games 3 and 4, all eyes are on Kevin Durant and how he’ll respond after one of the worst playoff games of his NBA career. Durant finished Game 2 with 23 […] The post Jabari Smith Jr. puts pressure on Kevin Durant with blunt take vs. Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Jabari Smith Jr. Takes Subtle Shot At Kevin Durant Over Handling Double Teams
After Kevin Durant's game-high nine turnovers in game two, his teammate, Jabari Smith Jr., offered a solution on how their star should handle it if faced with the same problem in game three.
Rockets Announce Concerning Kevin Durant Injury Update for Game 3
Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant returned to action in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers after being forced to sit out Game 1 with a knee injury. Durant was initially a game-time decision, but was ultimately cleared to play on Tuesday for the second game of this first-round NBA playoffs ...
Lakers Get Huge Boost as Rockets Announce Kevin Durant Injury News Before Game 3
The Los Angeles Lakers have absorbed all the momentum they could possibly dream of after the first two games of the 2026 NBA playoffs. No one believed they would hear (or read) these words just a few weeks after April 2: No Luka Doncic, no Austin Reaves. No problem. Of course, that was the day […] The post Lakers Get Huge Boost as Rockets Announce Kevin Durant Injury News Before Game 3 appeared first on Heavy Sports.
Brian Windhorst thought ESPN should prepare for LeBron James’ retirement after early-season woes
On Wednesday, LeBron James scored 28 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-94 win over Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets, taking a 2-0 series lead in the process. We’ll see where it goes from here, but considering how the 2025-2026 NBA season started for James and the Lakers, their run towards…
Lakers Gain Major Advantage After Kevin Durant News Ahead of Game 3
The Los Angeles Lakers are at a place (let’s face it) they probably weren’t expecting to be a week ago: up 2-0 in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Up to 2-0 in the playoffs? Against the massively favored Houston Rockets? That can’t be. Oh yes, it can. No Luka Doncic, no Austin Reaves. […] The post Lakers Gain Major Advantage After Kevin Durant News Ahead of Game 3 appeared first on Heavy Sports.
‘They’re Embarrassing to Watch’ — NBA Champion Tears Into Rockets After Choking Game 2 vs. Lakers
The Rockets drew sharp criticism from Kendrick Perkins, who called their play “embarrassing." They trail the Lakers 0-2 in the first round.
Rockets’ Ime Udoka makes Reed Sheppard admission after Game 2 benching
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka limited Reed Sheppard to 10 minutes during Tuesday’s 101-94 Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he hinted at an expanded role for the second-year guard moving forward amid his team’s offensive struggles. “Definitely up from [ten minutes],” Udoka told The Houston Chronicle’s Varun Shankar on Thursday […] The post Rockets’ Ime Udoka makes Reed Sheppard admission after Game 2 benching appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Kevin Durant will be blamed for a Rockets postseason collapse, but he shouldn't be
It's not your fault, Kevin, it's not your fault.
‘A Catastrophe for Kevin Durant’ — NBA Pundit Sounds Off on Rockets Nearing 1st-Round Playoff Upset to Luka Dončić-Less Lakers
Kevin Durant faces mounting criticism after a poor Game 2 as Nick Wright warns a first-round upset to the short-handed Lakers would be a “catastrophe.”
"This is as classic KD as you'll ever see" – Skip Bayless calls "Kevin Ducan't" the "weirdest superstar" in any sport – Basketball Network
"This is as classic KD as you'll ever see" - Skip Bayless calls "Kevin Ducan't" the "weirdest superstar" in any sport Basketball Network
Ime Udoka’s seat should be scorching hot after Rockets’ embarrassing start to series vs. Lakers
The way the Los Angeles Lakers have taken control of their first-round series against the Houston Rockets has raised more than a few eyebrows. With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out injured, most expected the series to be one-sided in the opposite direction. However, the Rockets have shown the same vulnerabilities that were apparent all […] The post Ime Udoka’s seat should be scorching hot after Rockets’ embarrassing start to series vs. Lakers appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Michael Beasley assembles all-time one-and-done starting five
Whenever fans talk about the greatest college players in recent memory, Michael Beasley is usually mentioned. Even though his career did not exactly pan out in the NBA, many have acknowledged his natural talent. He is not nicknamed B-Easy for nothing. Beasley entered into national consciousness with his crazy mixtape in high school. He then […] The post Michael Beasley assembles all-time one-and-done starting five appeared first on ClutchPoints.
As Lakers & LeBron James shine, Brian Windhorst admits he thought retirement was near
Father Time might be undefeated, but LeBron James is currently taking him to the limit. Despite being 41 years old, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar continues to defy logic, even if some of the league’s most seasoned insiders were ready to write his basketball obituary just a few months ago. Appearing on the Dan Patrick […] The post As Lakers & LeBron James shine, Brian Windhorst admits he thought retirement was near appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Brian Windhorst labels Rockets’ offense an ‘absolute disaster’ before Game 3
On Tuesday evening, the Houston Rockets fell behind 0-2 in their first round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers with an ugly 101-94 loss in Game 2. The Rockets were playing from behind in this game from essentially the opening tip, and although things got interesting late, Houston didn’t have enough to beat a […] The post Brian Windhorst labels Rockets’ offense an ‘absolute disaster’ before Game 3 appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Ime Udoka Defends Defensive Strategy After Reed Sheppard Minutes Question
Ime Udoka's comments about Reed Sheppard's limited playing time raise questions about whether he has a game plan to maximize Reed's potential
LeBron James Shares Blunt Reaction After Reverse Windmill Dunk in Game 2 Win vs. Rockets
LeBron James went viral after a reverse windmill dunk in Game 2, then delivered a blunt reaction postgame as he led the Lakers to a 2-0 series lead over Houston.
Lakers’ defensive intensity puts Rockets in stranglehold, formidable deficit
Kevin Durant thought he saw the best version of the Lakers’ defense a month ago. After the Lakers beat the Rockets on March 18 in Houston for the second time in three days, Durant said, “This is the best version of their defense that they’re gonna bring out against us … if we do play...
Rockets Get Destroyed by Kendrick Perkins After Game Two Collapse
Houston Rockets' performance brutally broken down by Kendrick Perkins after falling behind 2-0 in the series.