James makes tying 3 as Lakers storm back late, win in OT and take a 3-0 series lead over the Rockets

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 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.

“It’s tough to win on the road in the playoffs and even without KD they’re a great basketball team,” coach JJ Redick said. “And that was a huge test for us, especially in that moment when we’re down six.”

Los Angeles opened overtime with a 6-2 run, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Smart to take a 107-103 lead.

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.

The 41-year-old James played more than 45 minutes Friday night. He said with top scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries he has no choice but to do whatever he can.

“Everyone has to do a little bit more because of how much we’re missing,” James said. “It’s a challenge for all of us and just trying to figure it out together.”

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.

Houston struggled at times to close out games in the fourth quarter and the problem continued Friday night.

“It’s obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish,” coach Ime Udoka said. “The amount of mistakes or the type of mistakes are egregious and you can’t have those.”

Durant wasn't on the bench Friday night and Udoka said it was because he was receiving treatment on his injured ankle.

Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lakers led by 15 early, but were down six before Smart was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 25 seconds to go after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws.

“It was a smart play, and that’s part of my vet savvy, being in the league for 12 years,” Smart said. “I picked up some tricks from some guys, right. So, that helped us a lot.”

James then stole the ball from Sheppard and his 3-pointer tied it at 101-all with 13 seconds to go in the fourth.

Sengun missed a 7-footer and the Lakers had a chance to win, but James' 3-point attempt bounced off the rim to send it to OT.

James, who threw an alley-oop pass to his son Bronny for a basket in the first half, also had 13 rebounds.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Houston Rockets forward Dorian Finney-Smith (2) knocks away the ball from Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, center, as forward Jake LaRavia (12) looks on during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) loses a rebound in front of Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) during the first half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, looks to shoot while under pressure from Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr., left, during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) looks to drive around Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) who reaches in during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) becomes entangled with Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) as he drives to the basket during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket in front of Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, during the first half of Game 3 in a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Friday April 24, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Sean McVay says he was thrilled when the Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson — and anybody who thought the pick created a rift with general manager Les Snead doesn't know their partnership very well.

A day after the Rams shockingly chose the Alabama quarterback with the 13th-overall pick, McVay addressed the viral sensation caused by his dour demeanor and his ardent praise of MVP Matthew Stafford while he discussed the decision Thursday.

“What do you guys think — am I angry right now?” a smirking McVay said to begin his news conference with Snead on Friday.

McVay flatly refuted the widespread speculation that Snead had made a pick he didn’t like.

“We couldn’t be in more lockstep in every decision that we make,” McVay added. “Couldn’t be more excited about us to continue to lead together, but every decision that we make is collective and collaborative. ... This is my buddy right here.”

McVay made it clear he had plenty on his mind Thursday, and his concerns weren't about the decision to draft Simpson.

“That was never my intended way to be able to come off, but sometimes I can be a little grumpy,” McVay said. “There was other things that had nothing to do with that. That's normal life. But the main thing was (I) couldn't be more excited to add (Simpson), but also understanding of how much I love Matthew Stafford, how respectful you want to always be to just the way things can be interpreted.

“The demeanor would have been stoic by nature because you are excited, but it is Matthew's football team,” he added. "Excited to be able to add Ty. What a blessing it is for him to be able to learn from Matthew ... but whenever that time comes for him to get an opportunity to be Matthew's successor will be on Matthew's terms. I didn't want that to ever be misunderstood, while not lessening the excitement (about) Ty.”

The Rams made the most stunning selection of the first round Thursday when they took the 23-year-old Crimson Tide product who started just 15 collegiate games — the fourth-fewest by a first-round pick in the past quarter-century.

Snead and McVay kept their avid interest in Simpson nearly silent before they went against the widespread belief they would add a top receiver or an offensive tackle from their highest draft position in 10 years. The Rams picked Missouri offensive tackle Keagen Trost in the third round Friday after surprisingly using their second-round pick on Ohio State tight end Max Klare — a position where Los Angeles already has four proven contributors under contract.

Simpson arrived in Los Angeles earlier Friday, and after he met McVay for the first time, he couldn't contain his excitement about his future.

“He’s got the juice,” Simpson said of McVay at the Rams' temporary draft headquarters near SoFi Stadium. “That dude is a guy who’s a fireball. He loves ball.”

When he pulled on a Rams hat and spoke with reporters on Friday afternoon, Simpson still hadn't met Stafford, the Rams' starter for the upcoming season and quite possibly longer — although he got a warm welcoming message from Kelly Stafford, the MVP's wife.

Simpson had nothing but praise and admiration for the 38-year-old quarterback whose film he watched intently at Alabama, making it clear he's planning to learn — not to threaten Stafford's job.

“Matthew Stafford throws the ball with conviction and doesn’t care what happens,” Simpson said. "He might throw a pick the drive before, and he’s coming back and throwing the same type of ball. That dude is an assassin. As a quarterback, that’s the type of mentality you have to have. Being able to learn from him and learn how he’s doing those things on a daily basis, I can’t wait to soak it all up.”

The Rams are taking a big bet on Simpson, the son of longtime UT Martin head coach Doug Simpson. He spent the past four years in Tuscaloosa before passing up some huge NIL offers to turn pro after just one season as a starter with the Tide.

That bet on himself definitely paid off for Simpson, who called it “a dream come true” to be “not only a first-round draft pick, but at a great organization like the Los Angeles Rams with the best head coach in the league, the best quarterback in the league and the best-run franchise in the league. It’s a perfect situation.”

After attending the draft in Pittsburgh despite not knowing whether he would be a first-round pick, Simpson traveled to Los Angeles with his parents and siblings. Simpson already played in the area last January when Alabama lost the Rose Bowl to eventual national champion Indiana, and the Tide did their pregame walkthrough at the roofed SoFi amid heavy New Year’s Eve rains.

“Then, ironically enough, it's going to be my home stadium,” Simpson said with a grin. “I guess (I’m) a redneck in Los Angeles, California, so we’ll see how that goes. I’m super excited to be here. This is a great place with great people. I can’t wait to get started.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

Los Angeles Rams first-round draft pick Ty Simpson answers questions during an NFL football news conference Friday, April 24, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Rams first-round draft pick Ty Simpson holds a jersey during an NFL football news conference Friday, April 24, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Ty Simpson, selected in the first round of the NFL football draft by the Los Angeles Rams, poses with family members during a press conference on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Rams first-round draft pick Ty Simpson answers questions during an NFL football news conference Friday, April 24, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)