The Los Angeles Lakers secured a crucial 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets, continuing their pursuit of a top playoff seed in the Western Conference. The game saw both teams struggle offensively early on, combining for just 14 field goals in the first quarter. However, Luka Dončić emerged as a pivotal figure for the Lakers, finishing with 20 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds, nearly achieving a triple-double. The Lakers managed to pull away in the final minutes, as the Rockets faltered, making only two field goals in the closing stretch.

Late-game plays solidified the Lakers' win, highlighted by LeBron James' remarkable block on Alperen Şengün. The Rockets' Amen Thompson led his team with 20 points, but despite five players in double figures, they couldn’t overcome the Lakers' late surge. With this win, the Lakers close the gap to just one game behind the Denver Nuggets for the third seed, as they face a challenging stretch ahead with seven games left, including critical matchups against the Thunder and the Warriors.