Lakers vs. Rockets Game 6 live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs first-round series originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Los Angeles Lakers hit the road looking to pick up a series win over the Houston Rockets in Game 6 on Friday night. The Rockets defeated the Lakers 99-93 in the last matchup. Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 22 points, and LeBron James led the all scorers with 25.
While James is still going like the Energizer Bunny in Year 23, the NBA superstar has slowed down and is starting to show his age, especially in this series. Nonetheless, he’s still playing at a high level, but not up to his previous standards. Los Angeles is 8-3 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
The Rockets are shooting 47.9% from the field this season. They’ll be without Kevin Durant once again in Game 6. However, Alperen Sengun is averaging 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists. Amen Thompson has stepped up as well. He’s averaging 19.7 points over the last 10 games.
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Lakers vs. Rockets live updates, highlights from Game 6 of NBA playoffs
2nd Quarter- 1:29- 10 turnovers by Houston after a shot clock violation
2nd Quarter- 2:14- LeBron James misses both free throws. 42-31 Lakers up
2nd Quarter- 2:46- Teams trade buckets with Lakers up 42-29
2nd Quarter- 5:11- Austin Reaves layup puts Lakers up 40-25. 7 points in 11 mins for Reaves.
2nd Quarter- 5:48- LeBron James draws a foul. No-call after a Houston challenge and jump ball with Lakers winning the tip.
2nd Quarter- 6:07- Houston gets some much-needed scoring with a quick 6-0 run. Lakers up 38-25
2nd Quarter- 7:14- Houston 0-15 from the field and down 38-19. One offensive rebound in the game.
2nd Quarter- 9:10- Houston’s first point of the quarter stops a run, but nothing big.
2nd Quarter- 9:26- TV timeout. Los Angeles opens the quarter blazing with James leading the way.
Lebron hit the 3 and Luka telling Ime Udoka to call the timeout 😭 pic.twitter.com/1MDZL5MeUw
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz) May 2, 2026
2nd Quarter- 10:19- 9-0 run for Lakers to open the quarter. Now up 32-18. Seven points in the stretch for LeBron James
End of 1st Quarter: Lakers 23, Rockets 18
Team Stats
| 1st Quarter | Lakers | Rockets |
|---|---|---|
| FG | 9-25 | 7-19 |
| Field Goal % | 36 | 37 |
| 3PT | 3-7 | 2-7 |
| Three Point % | 43 | 29 |
| FT | 2-3 | 2-4 |
| Free Throw % | 67 | 50 |
| Rebounds | 15 | 12 |
| Offensive Rebounds | 3 | 0 |
| Defensive Rebounds | 12 | 12 |
| Assists | 6 | 4 |
| Steals | 1 | 1 |
| Blocks | 3 | 4 |
| Total Turnovers | 1 | 4 |
| Points Off Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Fast Break Points | 5 | 4 |
| Points in Paint | 12 | 10 |
| Fouls | 3 | 5 |
| Technical Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant Fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Largest Lead | 7 | 5 |
1st Quarter- 47.8 Seconds- Lakers miss back-to-back 3-pointers
1st Quarter- 2:18- Jabari Smith Jr. knocks down 2-of-3 free throws to cut LA’s lead, 23-18
1st Quarter- 2:34- Rui Hachimura nails a 3-pointer to up LA’s lead 23-16
1st Quarter- 2:50- Lakers take a 4-point lead off Jake LaRavia 3-pointer, 20-16
1st Quarter- 6:12- TV Timeout. Both teams are trading buckets, but Rockets up 14-11
1st Quarter- 7:29- Deandre Ayton splits free throws with Houston up 10-9
1st Quarter- 8:20- Austin Reaves jumper cuts the Rockets lead to 10-8
1st Quarter- 9:50- Amen Thompson put Rockets up 7-4 early
1st Quarter- 11:39- Rockets open the game with a 3-0 lead
Tip-off from Houston
Jabari Smith Jr. says the Rockets will think about Game 7 after tonight’s game—when he’s packing his bags to go to LA 👀
“We’re not thinking about Game 7. We’ll think about it tonight, when we’ve got to pack our bags. Not now.”
(🎥 @TheRocketsWire ) pic.twitter.com/0J63Ba4O4j
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 1, 2026
Injuries: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Steven Adams: out for season (ankle), Kevin Durant: out (ankle).
Lakers: Luka Doncic: out (hamstring).
How to Watch Los Angeles Lakers (3-2) vs. Houston Rockets (2-3) Game 6 NBA Playoffs
Friday, May 1
Tip-off: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: Amazon Prime
LA leads the series 3-2
More NBA Playoffs news:
- Victor Wembanyama won’t apologize for crying on court after first playoff series win: ‘Refuse to carry the burden‘
- Despite Kevin Durant’s absence, Rockets pull off rare playoff feat only 15 teams have achieved
- John Wall named president of basketball operations at Howard University, returns to Washington, D.C.
- Lakers’ LeBron James goes after Alperen Sengun for ‘soft’ foul complaint in Game 5 vs. Rockets