HOUSTON — Just a week and a half ago, there were lingering doubts about how the Lakers stacked up against the top teams in the league, particularly those in the Western Conference.
But those worries seemed to fade quickly with a 124-116 victory over the Rockets at Toyota Center on Wednesday, marking their second consecutive win against the same team, following a triumph just two days prior.
Luka Doncic was instrumental in the win, almost recording a triple-double with 40 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
Meanwhile, LeBron James showcased some of his old flair, throwing down six dunks and contributing 30 points to the team. Deandre Ayton added 16 points along with three blocked shots, and Austin Reeves pitched in with 14 points and eight assists.
what it means
The Lakers are now on a seven-game winning streak, which is their longest this season since November. They’ve improved their overall record to 44-25, securely holding the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
turning point
A pivotal moment came when Doncic drained a comeback 3-pointer with just over three minutes left, giving the Lakers a 113-109 lead. This was his sixth three of the night and helped the team regain the advantage in a back-and-forth game against the Rockets.
From that point on, the Lakers maintained their lead for the remainder of the game.
MVP: Luka Doncic
While LeBron’s impressive shooting night (13 of 14 from the field) could have earned him the MVP title for the game, it was Doncic’s clutch plays that secured the recognition. His step-back three-pointer elevated the Lakers to a 120-111 advantage with just 58 seconds left on the clock.
game status
Doncic’s performance featured a total of six 3-pointers, bringing his season total to 223. He is now just three away from matching the franchise record for the most threes made in a season (226), which was set by D’Angelo Russell during the 2023-24 season.
to the next
Looking ahead, the Lakers will aim to extend their winning streak against the Heat on Thursday night at Caseya Center.
