The Los Angeles Lakers closed out the Houston Rockets in dominant fashion on Friday night.

But he remembered what sparked the Lakers’ defensive turnaround, which has carried over for 3 ½ months, through their first-round playoff series victory over the Rockets, which ended with Friday’s 98-78 Game 6 victory at Toyota Center.

Deandre Ayton played excellent, inspiring basketball to help the Lakers knock the Rockets out of the NBA playoffs.

The Houston Rockets saw their season end for a second straight season in the first round this time at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers. Here is what I saw and heard before, during and after the game.

Check out the best of Friday's 2026 NBA Playoffs action and highlights, featuring Pistons-Magic, Cavaliers-Raptors and Lakers-Rockets.

It's Lakers vs Rockets on May 1 in Game 6 of their NBA playoff series. Here's how to watch, including time, channel and TV schedule info.

Rui Hachimura said the Los Angeles Lakers approached Game 6 against the Houston Rockets as if it were a Game 7.

A look at the three Houston Rockets most responsible for the team's Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

The Lakers enter the 2026 Western Conference Semifinals vs the Thunder as +945 underdogs—the biggest in franchise history. Here’s why the odds are so lopsided.