Lakers Secure No. 3 Seed, Pacific Division Title, and 50 Wins with Dominant Victory
Los Angeles clinches home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs while addressing LeBron James' health concerns.
- The Lakers defeated a shorthanded Houston Rockets team 140-109 to clinch the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and their first Pacific Division title since 2020.
- Luka Doncic led the team with 39 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Austin Reaves contributed 23 points and a strong all-around performance.
- LeBron James appeared to tweak his groin during the game but was later confirmed to be fine, with plans to rest key players, including James, before the playoffs begin.
- This marks the Lakers' first 50-win season since their 2019-20 championship run and guarantees home-court advantage for the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
- Players and coaching staff have expressed confidence in their championship potential, emphasizing team chemistry and readiness for a deep postseason run.
Lakers Nation 
The Straits Times 
EssentiallySports EssentiallySports Lakers Nation 
Cleveland Plain Dealer 
Los Angeles Times 
Orange County Register 
Deadspin 
ESPN EssentiallySports Lakers Nation Lakers Nation Lakers Nation 
Yardbarker EssentiallySports Los Angeles Times EssentiallySports EssentiallySports EssentiallySports Lakers Nation 
San Francisco Chronicle EssentiallySports 
SFGATE Deadspin The Straits Times Yardbarker EssentiallySports 
Newsweek Los Angeles Times Orange County Register Deadspin 
The San Francisco Standard Lakers Nation Newsweek 
USA TODAY ESPN USA TODAY Lakers Nation Lakers Nation Orange County Register 
Heavy EssentiallySports Lakers Nation Lakers Nation Orange County Register EssentiallySports Los Angeles Times Heavy Orange County Register 
NBC Los Angeles EssentiallySports USA TODAY Yardbarker 