Sports
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
Sports
Monte Coleman, 3-time Super Bowl champion for Washington, dies at 68
Jan 26, 1992; Minneapolis, MN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins linebacker Monte Coleman (51) and linebacker Andre Collins (55) on the sideline during Super Bowl XXVI against the Buffalo Bills at the Metrodome. The Redskins defeated the Bills 37-24. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-Imagn Images Monte Coleman, who won three Super Bowls while playing linebacker his entire NFL career for the Washington franchise, died on Sunday. He was 68.
A cause of death was not given in announcements by the Washington Commanders as well as by Arkansas Pine Bluff, where Coleman was head coach at his hometown university from 2008-17 and was 40-71. The Golden Lions won the Southwestern Athletic Conference title in 2012 as well as the Boxtorow HBCU Division I coaches’ national championship.
“Coach Coleman represented everything we strive for at UAPB — excellence, integrity, and a relentless commitment to developing our student-athletes,” UAPB athletic director Chris Robinson said in a statement. “His legacy is not only written in championships and honors, but in the lives he changed every single day.”
A legend. A leader. A Golden Lion forever. ?????
We mourn the loss of Coach Monte Coleman, whose impact on UAPB Football and countless lives will never be forgotten.
Forever in our hearts ?? pic.twitter.com/qE94K5b5s6
— ???????????? ?????????? ?????????????????? (@UAPBLionsRoar) April 26, 2026
The first player drafted from Central Arkansas, Coleman went to Washington in the 11th round of the 1979 NFL Draft, which was 12 rounds at the time.
He played 16 seasons, all for Washington, and totaled 1,002 tackles (999 solo), 49.5 sacks, 17 interceptions (three returned for touchdowns), 13 forced fumbles and 14 fumble recoveries in 215 regular-season games (62 starts) from 1979-94.
Coleman also played in 21 playoff games (five starts) and recorded five tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions.
Washington won Super Bowl championships in 1982, 1987 and 1991 and played in the 1983 game.
“Monte Coleman was one of the greatest players in Washington history,” Commanders owner Josh Harris said in a statement. “He was one of the pillars of our championship defenses having played for all three Super Bowl-winning teams. His durability and leadership set the standard for what it meant to suit up for the Burgundy & Gold.”
Coleman ranks second in franchise history in total games played and solo tackles, and sixth in sacks.
He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and Washington’s Ring of Fame in 2015.
“That was one of the greatest accolades I’ve ever received,” Coleman said of his Washington honor. “To be listed among those players, I will always cherish that. That means a whole lot to me.”
Coleman is survived by his wife of 43 years Yvette and his children Jasmine, Kyndall, Kyle, Corey and Londie.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Payton Pritchard (32), Celtics shoot down Sixers, lead 3-1
Apr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a three point basket before the buzzer at the end of the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Payton Pritchard scored a career-playoff-high 32 points off the bench and the Boston Celtics took a 3-1 series lead with a convincing 128-96 road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.
Jayson Tatum made five treys and recorded 30 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds and Jaylen Brown added 20 points and seven rebounds as the second-seeded Celtics moved one victory away from winning the Eastern Conference first-round series. Game 5 is Tuesday in Boston.
Pritchard made six 3-pointers and was 12-of-21 from the field while Boston knocked down a franchise-playoff-record 24 treys to help finish off a second straight victory in Philadelphia.
Joel Embiid played for the first time in the series for the seventh-seeded 76ers after undergoing an appendectomy two-plus weeks ago. He scored 26 points on 9-of-21 shooting and collected 10 rebounds and six assists while playing 34 minutes.
Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points and Paul George added 16 for the 76ers.
The Celtics made more 3-pointers than 2-point baskets (18) for the second straight game. Boston shot 48.3% overall and 45.3% from 3-point range.
Embiid was cleared shortly before tipoff and was aggressive at the outset by scoring the 76ers’ first eight points. He wore a brace underneath his jersey to protect his midsection.
Philadelphia made 41.2% of its field-goal attempts, including 9 of 30 (30%) from behind the arc. Quentin Grimes scored 12 points off the bench.
Pritchard began making an impact with 13 first-quarter points, including a quarter-ending 3-pointer to give Boston a 34-18 lead.
Pritchard knocked down another trey to make it 40-19 with 8:51 left in the half. He had 18 at the break as the Celtics led 56-38.
Boston kept the assault going in the third quarter when Brown scored six straight points and Tatum added a trey as Boston’s lead grew to 69-43 with 7:57 left in the third quarter.
Pritchard scored the final four points of the period as the lead sat at 95-74 entering the fourth quarter.
Tatum’s four-point play capped a 9-0 run to start the fourth and pushed the lead to 30. Boston’s advantage topped out at 32 as it cruised to the finish.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reports: Yankees calling up OF Jasson Dominguez
Mar 24, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs during spring training at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The New York Yankees are planning to call up outfielder Jasson Dominguez, multiple outlets reported Sunday.
A product of the Dominican Republic, Dominguez saw extended action for the Yankees in 2025 and produced during Spring Training before New York optioned him to the minors on March 20.
The 23-year-old’s 2025 line included a batting average of .257 with a .331 on-base percentage and a .388 slugging percentage over 429 plate appearances. He totaled 47 RBIs, 10 home runs and 23 stolen bases.
Over 22 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this spring, Dominguez notched 13 RBIs and three home runs with a .306 batting average.
New York has a roster opening after right-hander Luis Gil was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday, though Dominguez could also be seen as a potential replacement for outfielder Giamcarlo Stanton, who is dealing with a calf injury.
Dominguez is expected to join the roster before Monday’s road matchup with the Texas Rangers.
–Field Level Media
Monte Coleman, 3-time Super Bowl champion for Washington, dies at 68
Payton Pritchard (32), Celtics shoot down Sixers, lead 3-1
