Kevin Durant was sidelined due to an ankle injury. The Lakers additionally missed Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.With 30 seconds remaining in regulation, the Rockets were ahead 101-95. Then it broke down entirely.

Los Angeles exited Toyota Center with a 112-108 victory in overtime and a strong 3-0 series advantage.Rockets head coach Ime Udoka did not search for words"Horrendous mistakes," he said in his postgame news conference. "I don't know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment or whatever the case. You have a six-point lead with 20 or 30 seconds to go, get a rebound, and just have to hold the ball and get fouled... throw it away.

To make it worse, a terrible foul on Marcus Smart to give him three free throws."Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka on losing Game 3 to the Los Angeles Lakers: “Horrendous mistakes. I don’t know if you want to say youth or scared of the moment or whatever the case.” pic.twitter.com/fLsZqD2eiC— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 25, 2026The sequence was painful to observeJabari Smith Jr. attempted a risky lob with no pressure at all, and Marcus Smart stole it. Jae'Sean Tate subsequently fouled Smart during a three-point shot, and Smart made all three free throws, reducing the deficit to 101-98.After the subsequent timeout, LeBron James swiped the ball from Reed Sheppard.

James then made the equalizing three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining to push the game into overtime.Smart led the way, contributing eight of the Lakers' 11 points in overtime and ending the game with 21 points, 10 assists, and five steals.Udoka added:"It's obviously a weakness of ours to close out and finish. The amount of mistakes, the type of mistakes, are egregious."Throughout NBA history, no team has come back from a 3-0 disadvantage. Game 4 takes place Sunday evening in Houston.More NBA news: ESPN analyst goes scorched earth on Kevin Durant and RocketsJalen Williams grabs left hamstring and leaves Game 2 against PhoenixThunder get another scary 1st-round pick thanks to Warriors, Steph Curry