Without Luka Doncic, the Lakers are one game away from their first playoff sweep since 2010

The possibility of a sweep begins to take shape for Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the West playoffs. The Los Angeles team went 3-0 in the series after winning 112-108 to the Houston Rockets in additional time, in a match that seemed defined by the locals with less than a minute remaining.

The Californian team, which does not have Luka Doncic and is still waiting for the return of Austin Reaves, found in LeBron James to his best figure to change the course of the match at the Toyota Heart.

At 41 years old, the veteran led a comeback that started from 95-101 with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter. His performance included 29 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists in 45 minutes on the field.

A decisive reaction in the closing

Houston had control in the final stretch, even without his best reference Kevin Durant, absent due to a left ankle injury. However, the outcome changed after a Jabari Smith turnover when his team led by six points.

That action led to a play that allowed Marcus Clear add from the free throw line. Then, on the next possession, LeBron got the ball back and hit the three-pointer that forced overtime.

The impact of that sequence was evident. The Rockets, who had won only one of eight overtime periods played during the season, were unable to sustain the pace in the extra period.

During the game, Clear contributed 21 points and 10 assists, while Rui Hachimura scored 22 points, with 16 of them in the first quarter. A play by James also stood out when assisting with an alley-oop to his son Bronny James.

On the Houston side, Alperen Sengun He recorded 33 points and 15 rebounds, accompanied by Amen Thompson, who added 26 points and 11 rebounds. Smith added 24 points, although his mistake in the final seconds proved decisive.

The fourth game of the series will be played again in Houston, with the Lakers one victory away from closing the tie without losses.

The last time the franchise achieved a playoff sweep was in 2010, when they beat the Utah Jazz 4-0 in the Western Conference semifinals. That team, led by Kobe Bryant, ended up winning the championship.

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