Luka Doncic, Lakers down Rockets for 7th straight win

LeBron James adds 30 points as Lakers sweep season series against Rockets

Mar. 19, 2026 at 10:35am

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Luka Doncic flirted with a 40-point triple-double, LeBron James added 30 points while missing only one shot, and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers claimed a 124-116 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday that clinched the three-game season series. The Lakers won their seventh straight game, while the Rockets fell one game behind the fourth-place Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference.

Why it matters

The Lakers' seventh straight win keeps them in third place in the West, while the Rockets' loss drops them to fifth place and one game behind the Timberwolves for the final home-court advantage spot in the playoffs.

The details

Doncic followed a go-ahead Rui Hachimura 3-pointer with one of his own that pushed the Lakers to a 113-109 lead. Doncic then assisted on alley-oop dunks to Hachimura and James before he drilled a stepback 3 that extended the lead to 120-111 with 58.4 seconds left. Doncic posted 40 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists and nailed seven 3-pointers, while James finished 13 of 14 from the field. Alperen Sengun paced the Rockets with 27 points and 10 assists, while Amen Thompson added 26 points and 11 rebounds.

  • The Lakers won their seventh straight game on Wednesday, March 19, 2026.
  • The Rockets fell one game behind the fourth-place Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings.

The players

Luka Doncic

The star player for the Los Angeles Lakers who flirted with a 40-point triple-double in the win.

LeBron James

The veteran Lakers star who added 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting in the victory.

Alperen Sengun

The Rockets' leading scorer with 27 points and 10 assists in the loss.

Amen Thompson

The Rockets' young forward who scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the defeat.

Rui Hachimura

The Lakers' forward who hit a key 3-pointer to help the team pull away late.

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What’s next

The Lakers will look to extend their winning streak to eight games when they host the Golden State Warriors on Friday, March 21, 2026. The Rockets will try to bounce back and gain ground on the Timberwolves when they visit Minnesota on Saturday, March 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The Lakers' balanced attack and dominant performances from their star duo of Luka Doncic and LeBron James have propelled them to seven straight wins and a firm hold on third place in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Rockets' loss keeps them in a tight race for the final home-court advantage spot in the playoffs.