Deadspin | Lakers pull out OT win over Rockets, move to verge of sweep Apr 24, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James (9) scores a basket during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images LeBron James and Marcus Smart recorded double-doubles as the Los Angeles Lakers took a stranglehold on their first-round playoff series against the host Houston Rockets with a 112-108 overtime victory in Game 3 on Friday. After James (29 points, 13 rebounds) forced OT with a 3-pointer, Smart scored eight of his 21 points in the extra period to put the Lakers up 3-0 in the Western Conference quarterfinal series. Smart added a team-high 10 assists while Rui Hachimura put up 22 points for the Lakers. The Lakers will look for a sweep of the best-of-seven set in Game 4 on Sunday at Houston. The Rockets were without leading scorer Kevin Durant for the second time in the series. Durant, who missed Game 1 with a knee contusion, was a late scratch due to a left ankle sprain sustained in the fourth quarter of Game 2. Jabari Smith Jr. (24 points, 6 of 10 from 3-point range) spearheaded Houston’s comeback early in the fourth quarter before Alperen Sengun nearly carried the Rockets to victory in regulation. Sengun converted two late turnovers by James, sinking a layup with 49.6 seconds left, then turning a steal into a transition dunk and a 101-95 lead nine seconds later. However, the Lakers got late life when Smart made three free throws after absorbing a foul from Jae’Sean Tate with 25.4 seconds left. Then, with the Rockets leading 101-98, James forced a turnover in the backcourt and followed by draining a 3-pointer that knotted the score with 13.6 seconds to go. Each team missed another shot before regulation ended. Sengun paced the Rockets with 33 points and 16 rebounds while Amen Thompson chipped in 26 points and 11 assists. Reed Sheppard, who gave the Rockets their first lead since the opening quarter with a trey at the 4:59 mark of the fourth quarter, tallied 17 points and seven assists. The Lakers, Hachimura in particular, fashioned a scorching start to build an early double-digit lead. Hachimura tallied 16 first-quarter points on 6-for-6 shooting, and he hit a 3-pointer in an 11-0 run that lifted the Lakers to a 34-23 lead. Jaxson Hayes was critical to that spurt, igniting it with a three-point play and capping the run with an alley-oop dunk with 2:20 left in the period. Hayes’ steal resulted in the Hachimura trey, and Smart also sank a 3-pointer during the rally. The Lakers made that run with James on the bench. He returned and helped the Lakers extend to a 15-point lead. His son, Bronny James, drilled a 3-pointer and converted a reverse layup off a pass from his father. When the elder James stroked a 3-pointer, the Lakers led 55-43. The margin was 11 at the intermission after the Lakers shot 57.5% from the floor, including 8 of 13 from behind the arc. LeBron James and Hachimura scored 16 apiece in the half. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Lakers #pull #win #Rockets #move #verge #sweep

Jamshedpur FC produced a commanding performance to defeat Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.

A brace by Sanan Mohammed, along with goals from Raphaël Messi Bouli and Nikola Stojanović, secured three points for the host after five matches. It climbs to fourth in the standings with 18 points, while Chennaiyin FC remains 10th with nine points.

Jamshedpur took the lead in the seventh minute through Sanan. A well-worked move down the right saw Rosenberg Gabriel deliver a low cross into the box. While Messi Bouli failed to connect, the ball fell to Sanan’s foot, who fired home from close range to give the host an early advantage.

The momentum stayed with Jamshedpur, which continued to press forward and create chances through Talal and Stojanović, both of whom came close from distance. Chennaiyin, however, remained a threat on the break and was unlucky not to equalise when Irfan Yadwad struck the post following a neat pass from Mandar Dessai.

Jamshedpur doubled its lead in the 27th minute. Nikhil Barla floated in an inviting cross from the left, and Messi Bouli rose highest to head the ball into the top corner, making it 2-0. The host continued to dominate proceedings, creating multiple opportunities before the break, but was unable to extend its lead further.

ALSO READ | Mumbai City, Bengaluru play out goalless draw

Chennaiyin attempted to respond after the restart and saw more of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but struggled to break down a disciplined Jamshedpur defence, with Albino Gomes producing another sharp save to deny Daniel Chima.

Jamshedpur struck again in the 58th minute to effectively seal the contest. Following a quick transition from a goal kick, Sanan found space behind the Chennaiyin defence, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home his second of the night to make it 3-0.

Chennaiyin pulled one back in the 68th minute through Prakadeswaran S, who cut inside from the right and curled a fine effort into the top corner, offering the visitor a glimmer of hope.

However, Jamshedpur restored its three-goal cushion ten minutes later. A well-worked move involving Rosenberg Gabriel and Rei Tachikawa saw the ball worked across to Stojanović, who finished clinically from close range to make it 4-1.

Both sides continued to push forward in the closing stages, but neither could add to the scoreline as Jamshedpur comfortably saw out the match.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Jamshedpur #thrashes #Chennaiyin #reignites #ISL #title #hopes">

Jamshedpur FC thrashes Chennaiyin FC, reignites ISL title hopes Jamshedpur FC produced a commanding performance to defeat Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.A brace by Sanan Mohammed, along with goals from Raphaël Messi Bouli and Nikola Stojanović, secured three points for the host after five matches. It climbs to fourth in the standings with 18 points, while Chennaiyin FC remains 10th with nine points.Jamshedpur took the lead in the seventh minute through Sanan. A well-worked move down the right saw Rosenberg Gabriel deliver a low cross into the box. While Messi Bouli failed to connect, the ball fell to Sanan’s foot, who fired home from close range to give the host an early advantage.The momentum stayed with Jamshedpur, which continued to press forward and create chances through Talal and Stojanović, both of whom came close from distance. Chennaiyin, however, remained a threat on the break and was unlucky not to equalise when Irfan Yadwad struck the post following a neat pass from Mandar Dessai.Jamshedpur doubled its lead in the 27th minute. Nikhil Barla floated in an inviting cross from the left, and Messi Bouli rose highest to head the ball into the top corner, making it 2-0. The host continued to dominate proceedings, creating multiple opportunities before the break, but was unable to extend its lead further.ALSO READ | Mumbai City, Bengaluru play out goalless drawChennaiyin attempted to respond after the restart and saw more of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but struggled to break down a disciplined Jamshedpur defence, with Albino Gomes producing another sharp save to deny Daniel Chima.Jamshedpur struck again in the 58th minute to effectively seal the contest. Following a quick transition from a goal kick, Sanan found space behind the Chennaiyin defence, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home his second of the night to make it 3-0.Chennaiyin pulled one back in the 68th minute through Prakadeswaran S, who cut inside from the right and curled a fine effort into the top corner, offering the visitor a glimmer of hope.However, Jamshedpur restored its three-goal cushion ten minutes later. A well-worked move involving Rosenberg Gabriel and Rei Tachikawa saw the ball worked across to Stojanović, who finished clinically from close range to make it 4-1.Both sides continued to push forward in the closing stages, but neither could add to the scoreline as Jamshedpur comfortably saw out the match.Published on Apr 25, 2026 #Jamshedpur #thrashes #Chennaiyin #reignites #ISL #title #hopes

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Jamshedpur FC produced a commanding performance to defeat Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.
A brace by Sanan Mohammed, along with goals from Raphaël Messi Bouli and Nikola Stojanović, secured three points for the host after five matches. It climbs to fourth in the standings with 18 points, while Chennaiyin FC remains 10th with nine points.
Jamshedpur took the lead in the seventh minute through Sanan. A well-worked move down the right saw Rosenberg Gabriel deliver a low cross into the box. While Messi Bouli failed to connect, the ball fell to Sanan’s foot, who fired home from close range to give the host an early advantage.
The momentum stayed with Jamshedpur, which continued to press forward and create chances through Talal and Stojanović, both of whom came close from distance. Chennaiyin, however, remained a threat on the break and was unlucky not to equalise when Irfan Yadwad struck the post following a neat pass from Mandar Dessai.
Jamshedpur doubled its lead in the 27th minute. Nikhil Barla floated in an inviting cross from the left, and Messi Bouli rose highest to head the ball into the top corner, making it 2-0. The host continued to dominate proceedings, creating multiple opportunities before the break, but was unable to extend its lead further.
ALSO READ | Mumbai City, Bengaluru play out goalless draw
Chennaiyin attempted to respond after the restart and saw more of the ball in the early stages of the second half, but struggled to break down a disciplined Jamshedpur defence, with Albino Gomes producing another sharp save to deny Daniel Chima.
Jamshedpur struck again in the 58th minute to effectively seal the contest. Following a quick transition from a goal kick, Sanan found space behind the Chennaiyin defence, rounded the goalkeeper and calmly slotted home his second of the night to make it 3-0.
Chennaiyin pulled one back in the 68th minute through Prakadeswaran S, who cut inside from the right and curled a fine effort into the top corner, offering the visitor a glimmer of hope.
However, Jamshedpur restored its three-goal cushion ten minutes later. A well-worked move involving Rosenberg Gabriel and Rei Tachikawa saw the ball worked across to Stojanović, who finished clinically from close range to make it 4-1.
Both sides continued to push forward in the closing stages, but neither could add to the scoreline as Jamshedpur comfortably saw out the match.
Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Jamshedpur #thrashes #Chennaiyin #reignites #ISL #title #hopes">Jamshedpur FC thrashes Chennaiyin FC, reignites ISL title hopes

Jamshedpur FC produced a commanding performance to defeat Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday.

ALSO READ | Mumbai City, Bengaluru play out goalless draw

Chennaiyin pulled one back in the 68th minute through Prakadeswaran S, who cut inside from the right and curled a fine effort into the top corner, offering the visitor a glimmer of hope.

Both sides continued to push forward in the closing stages, but neither could add to the scoreline as Jamshedpur comfortably saw out the match.

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Jamshedpur #thrashes #Chennaiyin #reignites #ISL #title #hopes

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