Houston Rockets 78-98 LA Lakers, NBA 2026 Playoffs: LeBron James Steers Side To Game 6 Victory

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LeBron James had 28 points and the Los Angeles Lakers eliminated Houston with a 98-78 win in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Friday night by holding the Rockets to a season low in points. The No. 4 seed Lakers move on to meet the top-seeded Thunder with Game 1 Tuesday in Oklahoma City. Los Angeles has advanced to the second round for the first time since 2023 when it lost to Denver in the West finals despite missing top scorer Luka Doncic for the entire series. The Lakers used a 27-3 run in the first half to take an 18-point lead at halftime. They led by 22 with about three minutes left in the third quarter before Houston went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 71-55 entering the fourth.

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NBA: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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NBA: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) celebrates with guard Luke Kennard (10) during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston, | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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NBA Basketball Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Lakers forward Jake LaRavia dunks during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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NBA Basketball Game: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) controls the ball against Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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NBA Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) dive for a loose ball during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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NBA Basketball: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) celebrates with forward LeBron James (23) during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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NBA Playoffs 2026: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) defends against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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NBA Playoffs 2026: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) celebrates during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Houston Rockets in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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Basketball: Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (1) shoots during the first half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series against the Los Angeles Lakers in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis
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Basketball: Houston Rockets vs Los Angeles Lakers
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) defends against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in Houston. | Photo: AP/Ashley Landis

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