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Alperen Sengun delivered one of the best performances of his career with 33 points and 16 rebounds on Friday, but the Houston Rockets fell 112-108 to the Los Angeles Lakers in overtime, slipping into a 3-0 hole in the Western Conference first-round series.
Sengun set the tone early, working effectively in the paint and controlling the glass against a physically demanding Lakers frontcourt. He consistently created scoring chances near the rim and drew defensive attention, allowing Houston to stay within reach despite a slow start.
The Rockets had trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half, but Sengun’s presence helped stabilize the offense. His ability to finish through contact and secure second-chance opportunities played a central role in Houston’s gradual recovery.
As the game progressed, Houston leaned more heavily on Sengun’s inside production. He remained efficient while also contributing defensively, limiting second possessions and anchoring the team’s interior presence.
Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds, giving Houston a strong secondary option, but Sengun remained the focal point throughout the contest.
Houston completed its comeback in the second half, and with under 30 seconds remaining in regulation, the Rockets held a six-point lead and appeared to have done enough to even the series.
The closing moments shifted quickly. A turnover handed possession back to Los Angeles, opening a narrow window.
On the next play, Marcus Smart drew a foul while attempting a three-pointer and converted all three free throws to cut the deficit to a single possession.
LeBron James then made the decisive play in regulation, stepping into a passing lane for a steal before knocking down a three-pointer with 13 seconds left to tie the score.
Houston still had an opportunity to respond.
Sengun received the ball in the final seconds but missed a potential go-ahead attempt, sending the game into overtime after James failed to convert a last-second shot at the other end.
Los Angeles carried its momentum into the extra period and opened with a 6-2 run, quickly regaining control. Smart played a key role during this stretch, hitting a three-pointer that pushed the Lakers in front.
He continued to contribute in crucial moments, later adding free throws with 35.5 seconds remaining to extend the lead. The Lakers maintained composure under pressure and avoided costly mistakes down the stretch.
Houston attempted to respond, with Reed Sheppard looking to close the gap, but the Rockets struggled to produce efficient possessions.
Despite Sengun’s continued effort inside, the team could not recover control of the game.
Sengun finished with 33 points and 16 rebounds, leading all players in both categories and delivering a standout all-around performance. However, Houston’s late-game execution issues overshadowed his contribution.
Kevin Durant did not feature for the Rockets due to injury, limiting Houston’s options in critical moments. The absence of additional scoring depth became more visible as the game tightened late.
On the opposing side, LeBron James recorded 29 points and 13 rebounds, playing over 45 minutes and influencing both regulation and overtime with key defensive and offensive plays.
Marcus Smart added 21 points and 10 assists, including several decisive contributions in the final minutes and overtime, while Rui Hachimura chipped in 22 points.
With the loss, Houston fell behind 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, a deficit no NBA team has ever overcome to win a playoff matchup.
Game four is set for Sunday night in Houston. The Rockets now face elimination and must respond quickly to extend the series, while the Lakers will look to complete a sweep and advance to the next round.
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