{"id":628107,"date":"2026-04-25T17:01:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T17:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/628107\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T17:01:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T17:01:33","slug":"lebron-leads-stunner-in-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/628107\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron leads stunner in Houston"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

The NBA Nightly Recap for April 24, 2026, featuring the Lakers’ remarkable comeback.<\/p>\n

Down 6 in the final 30 seconds of Game 3, the Lakers had to do something only done once over the past 30 years to win.<\/p>\n

Enter: The King.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

5 STORIES IN TODAY\u2019S EDITION \ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

April 25, 2026<\/p>\n

Comeback King: LeBron & Marcus Smart stage 30-second rally for improbable OT win<\/p>\n

Boston Back Up: Celtics shoot to late lead as Tatum & Brown will a 2-1 series edge<\/p>\n

Spurs Respond: Without Wemby, Castle & Harper pull off 15-point comeback for 2-1 lead<\/p>\n

No. 1 Seeds: Thunder, Pistons dialing up their elite defenses as series shift to the road<\/p>\n

Six-Seed Symmetry: Alexander-Walker wins MIP award in Atlanta while Ayo Dosunmu steps in for Wolves<\/p>\n

BUT FIRST \u2026 \u23f0<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s four-game Playoff slate\u2026<\/p>\n

\"Scores<\/p>\n

The NBA Playoffs<\/a> continue today with a four-game slate, featuring both top seeds in Game 3s and a crucial Game 4 nightcap from Minnesota.<\/p>\n

NBC & Peacock Tripleheader: East No. 1 Detroit and No. 8 Orlando look to break a 1-1 tie in the opener (1 ET | Peacock & NBCSN<\/a>)
\nWest No. 1 OKC heads to Phoenix, with the Thunder up 2-0 on the No. 8 Suns (3:30 ET | NBC & Peacock<\/a>).
\nThen, No. 3 New York tries to even the series at 2-2 on the road vs No. 6 Atlanta (6 ET | NBC & Peacock<\/a>)
\nABC Saturday Primetime: In the West, No. 3 Denver aims to avoid a 3-1 deficit vs. No. 6 Minnesota on the road in Game 4 (8:30 ET | Tap To Watch<\/a>)<\/p>\n

NAW Named Most Improved: Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named the 2025-26 Kia NBA Most Improved Player<\/a>, earning the George Mikan Trophy.<\/p>\n

See the week\u2019s full NBA Awards<\/a> results below:<\/p>\n

Monday: Kia Defensive Player of the Year | Victor Wembanyama (SAS)
\nTuesday: Kia Clutch Player of the Year | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC)
\nWednesday: Kia Sixth Man of the Year | Keldon Johnson (SAS)
\nThursday: Sportsmanship Award | Derrick White (BOS)
\nFriday: Kia Most Improved Player | Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL)<\/p>\n

\"Nickeil<\/p>\n

1. LEBRON, SMART RALLY LAKERS FOR GAME 3 OT WIN
\n\"LeBron<\/p>\n

Kenneth Richmond\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Six points to make up.<\/p>\n

Thirty seconds to make it happen.<\/p>\n

Despite trailing for less than six minutes of action Friday night, the Lakers faced their largest deficit of Game 3 with a half-minute left.<\/p>\n

They became just the second Playoff team since 1996-97 to wrestle a win out of that situation.<\/p>\n

Lakers 112, Rockets 108 (OT): LeBron James (29 pts, 13 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl) and Marcus Smart (21 pts, 10 ast, 5 stl) teamed up to erase the 6-point\u00a0gap \u2014 including a new instant-classic Bron steal & game-tying 3<\/a> \u2014 getting L.A. to overtime, where Smart\u2019s 8 points claimed a stunning victory for a 3-0 series lead.<\/p>\n

Alperen Sengun (33 pts, 16 reb, 6 ast, 3 stl) led four Rockets starters scoring over 15 points after Kevin Durant (ankle sprain) was a late scratch. Houston now looks to avoid elimination at home Sunday in Game 4. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Rocket Burst: Having trailed throughout the 2nd and 3rd quarters and down 7 early in the 4th, Houston used a 23-10 run over 9 minutes to get their last-minute 6-point lead
\nSengun Show: Alpi scored Houston\u2019s last 8 points in that run, capping it with a steal off a LeBron pass for a breakaway dunk. He netted 12 of his 33 points in the 4th
\nSavvy, Smart: After the Lakers couldn\u2019t answer, Smart intercepted Houston\u2019s outlet pass and quickly drew a shooting foul behind the arc, converting each for a 3-point game
\nAs Houston brought the ball up, LeBron lunged for a back-tip steal then tapped L.A.\u2019s hurried outlet heave<\/a> to Luke Kennard (14 pts, 6 ast), who got it back to James
\nLet It Fly: Initially wide open at the arc, LeBron faked to send Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. flying by before calmly splashing the game-tying triple<\/a>, 101-101 with 15.1 on the clock
\n\u201cJust trying to seize the opportunity in the position that we\u2019re in,\u201d James said of his 151st clutch Playoff bucket, which leads all players since tracking began in 1996-97<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After getting a stop on Sengun to set up a final Lakers chance, James\u2019 turnaround 3 for the win went halfway in then out, setting up an overtime that was all Smart and L.A.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know he\u2019s battle-tested,\u201d James said of Smart. \u201cI\u2019ve competed against him for so long in the Eastern Conference, so it\u2019s great to have him on our side.\u201d
\nLakers\u2019 Classic: Smart\u2019s Game 3 puts him with Magic Johnson (3x) as the only Lakers with 20+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ steals in a Playoff game since 1973-74
\nThe 2024 Sixers are the only other team to overcome a 6+ point deficit in the final 30 seconds of regulation to win a Playoff game<\/p>\n

LeBron\u2019s 2nd-quarter lob to Bronny James was the first father-son assist<\/a> in NBA Playoffs history.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve seen his steps for so long, he was gathering,\u201d LeBron said. \u201cAnd I was like, \u2018Just go get it.\u2019\u2026He gave us great minutes\u2026 That was a special moment, obviously.\u201d<\/p>\n

Los Angeles can win the series in Game 4 from Houston Sunday (9:30 ET, NBC & Peacock).<\/p>\n

2. TATUM, BROWN WILL LATE CELTICS WIN FOR 2-1 LEAD<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After dropping Game 2 at home, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown came to Philly on a mission.<\/p>\n

Thanks to some clutch heroics to hold off a hard-charging Sixers squad, the Jays left Game 3 with a 2-1 lead, moving up the Celtics\u2019 all-time Playoff scoring list while they were at it,<\/p>\n

Celtics 108, Sixers 100: Boston got twin 25-point attacks from Jayson Tatum (7 ast, 5 3s) and Jaylen Brown (7 ast, 3 blk) to overcome Tyrese Maxey\u2019s (6 ast, 5 3s) 31 points and five other Sixers in double figures, taking the series lead again and resetting home court advantage.\u00a0| Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Jays\u2019 Time: Late in a tight contest of seven ties, eight lead changes and no leads larger than 10, Tatum and Brown locked in to combine for 19 of Boston\u2019s 29 4th-quarter points
\nBrown dropped eight straight points to maintain a four-point lead at 96-92, but Paul George (18 pts, 5 ast) found Andre Drummond (12 pts) for back-to-back dunks to get within one
\nJT Threes: That triggered Tatum, who hit 5-of-9 3s on the night, drilling two triples in the final two minutes<\/a>, including the dagger that made it 106-100
\n\u201cI\u2019ve been here before,\u201d Tatum said. \u201cJust the mindset of: Do whatever it takes to win\u2026 It can look different every single night\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cJust give the game what it needs. As long as you win, that\u2019s all that matters.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jayson<\/p>\n

Mitchell Leff\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

C\u2019s 3K Club: Tatum became the fourth Celtic ever to reach 3,000+ career Playoff points, joining Larry Bird (3,897), John Havlicek (3,776) and Kevin McHale (3,182)
\nOn that same Celtics all-time Playoff scoring list, Brown passed Bill Russell (2,673) and Robert Parish (2,683) to take 7th place<\/p>\n

With Boston back in control, Game 4 tips in Philly on Sunday (7 ET, NBC & Peacock).<\/p>\n

3. YOUNG SPURS DUO FINDS A WAY WITHOUT WEMBY<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With Victor Wembanyama still out for Game 3, San Antonio\u2019s next two lottery picks took over.<\/p>\n

Spurs 120, Blazers 108: Stephon Castle (33 pts, 5 ast) led all scorers and rookie Dylan Harper added career-highs in scoring (27 pts), rebounding (10) and 3-point shooting (4 3s) to ignite San Antonio\u2019s 15-point comeback for a 2-1 series lead. | Recap<\/a><\/p>\n

Go Time: Portland\u2019s 15-point lead came in the 3rd quarter, before a 21-5 Spurs run gave the road team a one-point edge to start the 4th
\nTexas Takeover: San Antonio took control from there, building its own 15-point lead and winning the 2nd half 61-43
\nStatement Shooting: Harper scored 12 of his 27 points in that 3rd, on the way to a 22-point 2nd half that included perfect 3-for-3 shooting from long distance
\n\u201cJust wanna keep on fighting,\u201d Harper said of his surge. \u201cWe kinda had no energy in the 3rd quarter, so I wanted to come in, just make a spark any way I can.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dylan<\/p>\n

Brian Babineau\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Castle (21y, 174d) and Harper (20y, 53d) are now the youngest duo in NBA history to each score at least 25 points in a postseason game.<\/p>\n

KD and Russell Westbrook are the only other NBA duo age 21 or under to each score 25+ in the same postseason game, back in 2010.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe puts the work in and he wants to be great,\u201d Castle said of Harper. \u201cHe\u2019s accepted a role this year even with how talented he is, so he\u2019s super special. I\u2019m happy he\u2019s with us.\u201d
\nTogether With Timmy: Harper\u2019s 27 points are the most scored by a Spurs rookie in a postseason game since Tim Duncan in 1998
\nBryant\u2019s Bench Mark: He also became the 2nd-youngest player behind Kobe to score 20 or more points off the bench in a postseason game since tracking began in 1970-71<\/p>\n

Jrue Holiday (29 pts, 6 reb, 5 ast, 5 3s) and the Blazers will try to tie the series back up at home in Game 4 Sunday (3:30 ET, ESPN).<\/p>\n

4. TOP SEED\u2019S ELITE DEFENSES RISING UP AS SERIES HIT THE ROAD
\n\"Isaiah<\/p>\n

Brian Sevald + Zach Beeker\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Top two seeds.<\/p>\n

Top two defenses.<\/p>\n

Two Game 2s\u00a0W\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Detroit\u2019s gritty group got back to what it does best to even its series Wednesday, while OKC\u2019s defensive maestro Chet Holmgren shined for a 2-0 edge.<\/p>\n

Sub-90 Club: Detroit and OKC have each held their opponent under 90 points in one of their two First Round games so far. No other defense has achieved this in the 29 other Playoff and Play-In games this postseason<\/p>\n

Now, as both series hit the road, these No. 1s look to stay connected to their winning ways through their defense-first mentalities.<\/p>\n

Pistons at Magic, Game 3 (1 ET, Peacock & NBCSN): Detroit\u2019s defensive flex in Game 2 forced the Magic to shoot a season-low 32.5% from the field. The test will be if the East leaders can keep Orlando\u2019s shooting down on its home floor today.<\/p>\n

The 83 points Detroit held Orlando to in Game 2 was also a season-low for the Magic, and a league-high seventh time the Pistons kept their opponent under 90 this season
\nEarly Erasers: Detroit piled up seven blocked shots in just the 1st quarter on Wednesday, going on to swat 11 total and force 17 turnovers
\n\u201cThey like it when it gets messy and it gets ugly,\u201d coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of his Pistons. \u201cThat\u2019s where they thrive\u2026 We like to push people\u2019s buttons and see how they respond.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Daniss<\/p>\n

Chris Schwegler\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Pistons players up and down the roster embody that relentless, underdog style of play.<\/p>\n

None more than two-way conversion Daniss Jenkins and non-lottery pick Marcus Sasser, whose own paths from childhood friends to Pistons teammates<\/a> are as improbable as Detroit\u2019s worst-to-first journey, NBA.com\u2019s Jeff Zillgitt writes:<\/p>\n

\u201cMy end goal never changed\u2026 And I never wavered on the game,\u201d Jenkins said. \u201cI didn\u2019t give up. I never stopped.\u201d
\nOffensive Surge: All-Star teammate Cade Cunningham has been similarly unstoppable in the two games against the Magic, leading all Playoff scorers with 33.0 ppg
\n\u201cHe\u2019s obviously a tall guard, has a lot of skill, obviously is trying to get to the paint,\u201d Franz Wagner said of the challenge Cunningham presents to a Magic defense also looking to return to form<\/p>\n

\"Chet<\/p>\n

Joshua Gateley\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

The only defense that outranked Detroit\u2019s this season was OKC\u2019s, and Chet Holmgren (4 blk) showed again in Game 2 why he\u2019s the anchor for that top group of stoppers.<\/p>\n

Thunder at Suns, Game 3 (3:30 ET, Peacock & NBC): Holmgren and OKC own two of the five instances Phoenix has been held under 90 points this season, including Game 1\u2019s 84-point tally.<\/p>\n

Holmgren posted the season\u2019s top individual defensive rating, at 102.3, holding opponents to a league-best 47.7% shooting at the rim (min. 250 DFGA)
\n\u201cFrom the moment [Chet] stepped foot on the court with the basketball team, we\u2019ve been No. 1 in the West,\u201d Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said earlier this year. \u201cThat\u2019s no coincidence\u2026 He anchors the best defense in the league.\u201d
\nOn\/Off Edge: OKC was 5.6 points better defensively this season when Chet was on the floor, compared to when he was off
\nAdd Offense: He increases that differential with his scoring too, adding 17.5 ppg on 54.5\/41.7 shooting splits so far in this First Round<\/p>\n

5. SIX-SEED SYMMETRY: NAW IMPROVES IN ATL, AYO STEPS IN FOR WOLVES
\n\"Nickeil<\/p>\n

Nathaniel S. Butler\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Jonathan Kuminga\u2019s defensive stand and steal to seal the Game 3 W.<\/p>\n

CJ McCollum\u2019s game-changing clutch shots for wins in Games 2 & 3.<\/p>\n

Atlanta\u2019s pair of mid-season pick-ups changed the trajectory of its First Round series with New York.<\/p>\n

And as Game 4 tonight at home brings the chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead over the No. 3 Knicks (6 ET, Peacock & NBC), it\u2019s a Hawks offseason addition now shining through.<\/p>\n

Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker\u2019s win makes Atlanta the first team in NBA history with back-to-back Most Improved Player Awards, after Dyson Daniels won last year
\nAll In The Family: Alexander-Walker\u2019s win adds to his family\u2019s growing hardware collection, as the cousin of reigning MVP and current Kia Clutch Player of the Year, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
\nIn his first season in Atlanta, Minnesota\u2019s former 6th-man started 71 games, more than doubling his career-high with 20.8 ppg while shooting a career-best 46%
\nPlay Free, Be Yourself: \u201cThat\u2019s what Nickeil\u2019s come in and done this year, and our offense has taken a huge jump,\u201d Daniels said after NAW\u2019s win. \u201cI think Atlanta has a really good development pathway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Alexander-Walker is the first player to add 10+ ppg in scoring and average at least 20.0 ppg for the full season since his teammate, First Round series star and former Most Improved Player (2016) CJ McCollum, 10 years ago.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo have an opportunity is one thing. To take advantage of it is another, and I think he\u2019s done that,\u201d McCollum said of NAW. \u201cI think it\u2019s a testament to him as a person and a player.\u201d
\nMcCollum himself is \u201camong the most impactful players in these NBA playoffs,\u201d according to Shaun Powell\u2019s latest profile on NBA.com<\/a><\/p>\n

McCollum, Alexander-Walker and the clutch Hawks look to go up 3-1 tonight, after back-to-back one-point victories \u2013\u00a0something we\u2019ve only seen six times in NBA Playoffs history.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Garrett Ellwood\/NBAE via Getty Images<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the same situation for the West\u2019s 6-seed, after Minnesota earned a statement Game 3 win at home with a Playoff career-high 25 points from Ayo Dosunmu.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m giving it my all,\u201d Dosunmu said<\/a>. \u201cIt just puts a sense of urgency on my back and a chip on my shoulder, knowing that you can\u2019t take this for granted.\u201d
\nThat sense of urgency comes from a three-season Playoff drought, and Jeff Zillgitt writes it\u2019s driving Dosunmu to reach new heights<\/a>
\nSixth-Man Solution: The trade deadline addition has been filling the spot left by Alexander-Walker, as one of five Wolves averaging double-digit scoring (16.0 ppg) in this series<\/p>\n

Dosunmu and Minnesota can go up 3-1 on the No. 3 Nuggets in Game 4 tonight (8:30 ET, ABC).<\/p>\n