The Houston Rockets outlasted the Los Angeles Lakers in a double-digit victory, 119-96, on Thursday night, Christmas.
Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and never trailed despite Luka Doncic’s 25-point explosion.
Houston superstar Kevin Durant contributed 25 points and nine assists, ending a two-game skid while improving to 7-7 on the road.
On the other hand, LeBron James added 18 points for the Lakers, who fell to 25-27 in their 27th consecutive appearance on Christmas and 52nd overall in a tradition that began in 1949.
Doncic and James were struggling, as they had combined for 4 of 11 from three-point range. They also combined for nine of the Lakers’ 16 turnovers.
The 6-foot-8 guard returned after missing a loss at Phoenix after injuring his left leg in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last weekend.
Meanwhile, James and Durant squared off in the highest-scoring matchup in NBA history, with no two opposing players having ever entered a game with more combined career points.
Houston big man Alperen Sengun with 12 rebounds in helping the Rockets dominate the boards, 48-25.
The Rockets led by 14 points in the first quarter and were up 63-53 at halftime, when James had just eight points.
They opened the third with an 18-5 run that extended their lead to 23.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves did not return due to a sore left calf after contributing 12 points in the first half.
Rockets will host Cleveland on Saturday, while the Lakers aim to bounce back against Kings on Sunday.
