NBA 2026-27 · Regular season · Meeting 2 of the season
What does Rockets vs Lakers change in the NBA playoff race?
Tue, Dec 29, 2026 · 10:30 PM ET (Dec 30, 12:30 KST)Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
What's at stake
Current standings (179 games played league-wide) plus this one result, recomputed for the 15 West teams. Arithmetic, not odds.
Rockets win
- LakersWest #1→#2
- RocketsWest #4→#3Magic 68→67Top-6 magic 70→69
- SpursWest #2→#1
- TimberwolvesWest #3→#4
Lakers win
- LakersMagic 66→65Top-6 magic 68→67
- RocketsWest #4→#5Top-6 magic 70→-
- Trail BlazersWest #5→#4
Magic number = wins left to lock a top-10 (play-in) finish (top-6 magic: a direct berth); tragic number = losses left until elimination. Ties count against the team. How we calculate →
Season series
Meeting 2 of 4 this season
Rockets 0Lakers 0
Before this game
- Nov 30 Lakers @ Rockets (Scheduled)
- Dec 29 Rockets @ Lakers (Scheduled)
- Feb 18 Rockets @ Lakers (Scheduled)
- Mar 28 Lakers @ Rockets (Scheduled)
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Tue, Dec 29 game · Los Angeles
Local date
- Tickets at LakersBook on Klook (new window)
- Stays in Los AngelesSearch stays on Klook (new window)
- Airport transferTo and from LAX (new window)
- Los Angeles tours & ticketsThings to do in the city (new window)
Team records
Injury report
Rockets
- Steven AdamsOut
- Clint CapelaOut
- Quadir CopelandOut
- Julian PhillipsOut
- Marcus SmartOut
Lakers
- Quentin GrimesDay-To-Day
- Austin ReavesDay-To-Day
- Collin SextonDay-To-Day
- Luka DoncicDay-To-Day
BALLDONTLIE injury report (status only). It can change before tip-off.
Rockets playoff scenarios →Lakers playoff scenarios → NBA schedule & results Magic numbers Stat leadersNBA standings & scenarios →
Game data: BALLDONTLIE. Magic and tragic numbers are computed by this site.