HOUSTON — LeBron James dropped 28 points and the Los Angeles Lakers sent the Houston Rockets packing with a commanding 98-78 victory in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Friday night. The Lakers held Houston to a season-low point total while advancing to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
The No. 4 seed Lakers will head to Oklahoma City for Game 1 on Tuesday as they reach the second round for the first time since 2023.
“For us to be counted out a few weeks ago and come through with a playoff series win is huge,” coach JJ Redick said.
Los Angeles seized control early with a dominant 27-3 run in the first half, building an 18-point lead by halftime. They pushed the advantage to 22 points late in the third quarter before Houston mounted a brief 8-2 push, trimming the deficit to 71-55 heading into the fourth.
The Lakers quickly responded, opening the final period with a 10-3 spurt fueled by five points from Rui Hachimura, stretching the lead to 81-58 with about seven minutes remaining.
“In order for us to win, we had to protect the ball, rebound strong and stay physical to force tough shots,” James said. “I thought our defense was spot on — we stuck to the game plan and executed it perfectly.”
Hachimura chipped in 21 points, including five three-pointers. Redick praised James’ leadership throughout the night and the entire season.
“He has this incredible way of setting the tone for everyone, and he did it again tonight. Our guys followed his lead,” Redick added.
For the Rockets, Amen Thompson led with 18 points and Alperen Sengun contributed 17 as Houston wrapped up its second straight first-round exit. The fifth-seeded Rockets had rallied from an 0-3 deficit to force Game 6 despite missing Kevin Durant for most of the series due to injuries.
Houston struggled mightily from the field, shooting just 35% overall and going 5 of 28 from three-point range after combining for 26 threes in the previous two games. Reed Sheppard finished 1 for 10 from deep.
The Lakers trailed by five midway through the first quarter before exploding with that 27-3 run, taking a 38-19 lead. Hachimura, Jake LaRavia and James all knocked down threes during the surge as Los Angeles finished with 12 made threes on the night.
Houston went cold in the second quarter, managing just one free throw before their first field goal nearly seven minutes in. The Lakers took a commanding 49-31 lead into halftime.
Austin Reaves added 15 points in his second game back from an oblique injury, while Deandre Ayton contributed seven points and 16 rebounds.