LeBron James and Lakers Eliminate Houston Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers eliminated the Houston Rockets from the NBA playoffs on May 1, 2026, securing a 98-78 victory in Game 6 of the first-round series. The win at the Toyota Center in Houston gave the Lakers a 4-2 series victory and advanced them to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.

LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. The performance allowed James to set a new all-time NBA record for series-clinching road wins, recording his 22nd such victory to surpass the previous mark held by Derek Fisher and Tim Duncan.

Game Performance and Key Stats

Rui Hachimura provided significant support for Los Angeles, contributing 21 points, six rebounds, and five three-pointers. The Lakers’ defense held Houston to 78 points, limiting the Rockets’ offensive efficiency throughout the night.

For the Rockets, Amen Thompson led the scoring with 18 points and eight rebounds. Alperen Şengün added 17 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks in the loss.

The Rockets struggled with shooting accuracy, finishing the game with 37 field goals out of 74 attempts and making only five of 22 three-point attempts.

Series Progression

The series outcome followed a fluctuating momentum shift. The Lakers initially held a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series before the Rockets won two consecutive games to bring the series to 3-2.

The Lakers regained control in Game 6, avoiding a potential seventh game. This marks the second consecutive season the Houston Rockets have been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.

Next Matchup

The Los Angeles Lakers will now face the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. The series is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Oklahoma City.