On Christmas Day in Los Angeles, the Houston Rockets brought the energy, the defense, and the boards. They led wire to wire and beat the Lakers 119-96, snapping a two-game slide and reminding the league that this young group is built for bright lights. Amen Thompson set the tone with 26 points, and Houston never looked back.

Amen Thompson sets the tone early

From the opening tip, Thompson attacked the lane, finished in traffic, and kept the ball moving. He finished with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, looking calm in a big moment. His pace and force helped Houston jump out 37-25 after one quarter and control the game’s rhythm.

Houston supported him with balance. Six Rockets hit double figures, and the ball kept popping to open shooters and cutters. Kevin Durant, sharing the floor with LeBron James on a historic stage, was steady and sharp, adding 25 points and 9 assists.

“Amen’s not waiting his turn — he’s taking it.”

Durant vs. LeBron: history met the moment

James and Durant squared off in the highest-scoring matchup in NBA history by combined career points. No two opposing players have ever entered a game with more points between them. On this night, Durant’s playmaking and shotmaking were the cleaner edge, while James was kept to 18 points, with just 8 by halftime.

The head-to-head name value was massive, but Houston’s advantage came from the details. Durant didn’t need to force anything. He let the game come to him, found teammates, and punished mismatches when needed.

“LeBron vs. KD sold the marquee — the Rockets won the math.”

Boards, turnovers, and the big third-quarter swing

The numbers that decide games told a clear story. Houston owned the glass 48-25, closing defensive trips and extending their own. Center Alperen Sengun grabbed 12 rebounds and anchored the paint with smart positioning.

On the other end, the Lakers coughed the ball up 16 times. Nine of those turnovers came from Luka Doncic and LeBron James, who also combined to go 4-for-11 from three. Those empty trips fed Houston’s transition game and early offense. Coming out of the break, the Rockets ripped off an 18-5 run and pushed the lead to 23, a margin the Lakers never solved.

• Q1: Rockets 37, Lakers 25
• Q2: Rockets 26, Lakers 28 (Halftime: Houston 63-53)
• Q3: Rockets 29, Lakers 21
• Q4: Rockets 27, Lakers 22

Luka returns, Reaves exits, and the Lakers search for answers

Doncic returned after missing a game with a left leg injury suffered in a prior loss to the Clippers and scored 25. He had moments, but Houston bodies met him at the rim and in the gaps. With the Rockets winning the rebounding and turnover battles, the Lakers had to play from behind all night.

Compounding the trouble, Austin Reaves scored 12 in the first half but left at halftime with a sore left calf. Rui Hachimura was scoreless. The Lakers, in their 27th straight Christmas game, fell for the third time in a row — a tough stretch for a group that prides itself on big-stage poise.

“If L.A. can’t rebound or protect the ball, the stars won’t save them.”

What this win says about Houston

Houston’s blueprint traveled. Win the glass, play fast but smart, and trust depth. The Rockets improved their road mark — listed as 7-7 in the recap — and stand 18-10 overall in the standings. Some listings show them at 10-8 away as updated standings settle, but the bigger point remains: this team handled a hostile building and did it with control.

It wasn’t just star power. Six players in double figures speaks to a team that knows its roles and embraces the dirty work. When you rebound like that and share the ball, you don’t need wild shot-making to win. You just need to keep stacking good possessions — and Houston stacked them all night.

For the Lakers, the road back

This was a reminder that margin for error is thin. Even with James and Doncic on the floor, you cannot spot an athletic team second chances and live-ball turnovers. Health matters too. If Reaves misses time, the Lakers will need more ballhandling and shooting to keep the offense afloat.

The calendar will move quickly. The Lakers will try to steady themselves at home against Sacramento on Sunday. The Rockets, surging after a statement win, host Cleveland on Saturday.

Bottom line

Houston never trailed and played grown-up basketball on a night known for stars. Amen Thompson’s 26 led the way, Durant was sharp and unselfish, and the Rockets owned the glass 48-25. The Lakers had flashes, but turnovers, missed threes, and a rough third quarter turned a holiday showcase into a long chase.

For the Rockets, this is the kind of win that travels. For the Lakers, it’s a clear checklist: protect the ball, finish stops, and find consistent help around their stars.