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Amen Thompson’s 26 points lead Rockets to 119-96 win over Doncic and the Lakers

Amen Thompson's 26 points lead Rockets to 119-96 win over Doncic and the Lakers | iNFOnews.ca
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) defends a shot by Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Amen Thompson scored 26 points to lead six players in double figures and the Houston Rockets never trailed in beating Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers 117-96 on Thursday night.

Kevin Durant added 25 points and nine assists for the Rockets, who ended a two-game skid while improving to 7-7 on the road. Thompson had seven rebounds and five assists.

Doncic scored 25 points and 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. They’ve dropped three in a row overall.

Doncic and James were a combined 4 of 11 from 3-point range. They also combined for nine of the Lakers’ 16 turnovers. Doncic returned after missing a loss at Phoenix after injuring his left leg in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last weekend.

James and Durant squared off in the highest-scoring matchup in NBA history. No two opposing players ever entered a game with more combined career points.

Alperen Sengun had 12 rebounds in helping the Rockets dominate the boards, 48-25. He had as many as the Lakers’ entire starting lineup combined.

The Rockets led by 14 points in the first quarter and were up 63-53 at halftime, when James had just eight points. Durant and Thompson had 16 each in the half.

Houston opened the third with an 18-5 run that extended its lead to 23.

The Lakers got no points from starter Rui Hachimura while losing starter Austin Reaves to a sore left calf. He had 12 points and didn’t return after halftime.

Up next

Rockets: Host Cleveland on Saturday.

Lakers: Host Sacramento on Sunday.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Amen Thompson's 26 points lead Rockets to 119-96 win over Doncic and the Lakers | iNFOnews.ca
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic reacts after a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Amen Thompson's 26 points lead Rockets to 119-96 win over Doncic and the Lakers | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson drives past Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) and Lakers’ guard Luka Doncic for a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)
Amen Thompson's 26 points lead Rockets to 119-96 win over Doncic and the Lakers | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Rockets center Steven Adams (12) guards Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

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The Associated Press

Beth Harris

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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