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LeBron James on the challenge of playing without Luka and Austin Reaves

The Los Angeles Lakers moved to the brink of advancing in the Western Conference playoffs with a 112-108 overtime win over the Houston Rockets in Game 3. The victory gave Los Angeles a 3-0 series lead despite continuing to play without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.

LeBron James once again led the way, finishing with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. He hit a game-tying 3-pointer with 13.6 seconds left in regulation to force overtime, where the Lakers closed out the win behind key contributions from Marcus Smart and Rui Hachimura.

After the game, James addressed the ongoing challenge of playing without two of the team’s primary scorers. “It’s very challenging,” James said. “You hope that once you get to the sprint, which is the postseason, that you have your horses and everybody’s in place… the last thing you even want to imagine or think about is… two of your best players going down with injuries and not being ready for the postseason.”

LeBron James explains Los Angeles Lakers adjustments without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves

GettyLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James

James described the situation as a team-wide adjustment rather than an individual burden. He emphasized that roles across the roster have shifted due to the absence of Doncic and Reaves.

“It was a shift for all of us,” James said. “It’s challenging for all of us. It’s challenging for me. It’s challenging for Marcus, challenging for Luke, like for everybody.”

He added that only a few players have maintained consistent roles, while others have taken on increased responsibilities. “There’s only a couple of guys’ roles that kind of stay the same… Jackson, D.A., their roles stay the same,” James said. “But… everybody who’s getting those minutes off the bench… has to do a little bit more.”

James also pointed to younger players stepping into larger roles during the series. “Bronny stepping in and playing meaningful minutes… Jake… everybody has to do a little bit more because of how much we’re missing,” he said.

The Lakers have adapted effectively so far. They finished the regular season with a 22-8 record in clutch situations, and that composure has carried into the playoffs. Game 3 followed a similar pattern, with Los Angeles executing late to erase a six-point deficit in the final seconds.

Lakers overcome Houston Rockets despite injuries

GettyLos Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton and Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard

The absence of Doncic and Reaves has not prevented the Lakers from maintaining control of the series. Alongside James, multiple players have contributed to the team’s success.

Marcus Smart recorded 21 points and 10 assists in Game 3, including key plays in overtime. Rui Hachimura added 22 points, providing scoring support throughout the game.

Houston, playing without Kevin Durant for a second consecutive game due to an ankle injury, was led by Alperen Sengun, who finished with 33 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists. Jabari Smith Jr. added 24 points, hitting six 3-pointers, while Amen Thompson contributed 26 points and 11 rebounds.

Despite those performances, the Rockets struggled in late-game situations. Houston led by six points with under 30 seconds remaining in regulation, but allowed the Lakers to tie the game. A turnover followed by James’ 3-pointer shifted momentum before overtime.

The Lakers capitalized in the extra period, continuing a trend of strong execution in close games. Their ability to manage late-game situations has been a defining factor throughout the series.

With a 3-0 lead, Los Angeles now has an opportunity to close out the series in Game 4. The team will continue to rely on its adjusted rotation and collective effort while awaiting the potential return of Doncic and Reaves later in the postseason.

For now, James’ comments reflect the current reality for the Lakers: a roster adapting in real time, managing injuries, and finding ways to win in the playoffs.