The Houston Rockets vs Lakers matchup is a Western Conference NBA rivalry between Houston and Los Angeles. In the 2026-27 regular season, the teams are scheduled to meet three times: December 29, 2026, February 18, 2027, and March 28, 2027. The first two games are in Los Angeles, while the March meeting is in Houston.
Key Takeaways
- The Rockets and Lakers are scheduled to meet three times during the 2026-27 regular season.
- The first matchup is December 29, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena.
- Houston visits Los Angeles again on February 18, 2027.
- The final scheduled meeting is March 28, 2027, at Toyota Center.
- The Lakers won the 2026 Western Conference first-round playoff series 4-2.
Houston Rockets vs Lakers: Upcoming 2026-27 Games
For someone searching Houston Rockets vs Lakers today, the most useful information is the current schedule. The NBA has released the 2026-27 regular-season schedule, and Houston and Los Angeles are scheduled to play three times.
| Date | Matchup | Location | Time | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 29, 2026 | Rockets at Lakers | Crypto.com Arena | 10:30 p.m. ET | Peacock/NBC |
| Feb. 18, 2027 | Rockets at Lakers | Crypto.com Arena | 10:00 p.m. ET | Prime Video |
| Mar. 28, 2027 | Lakers at Rockets | Toyota Center | 3:00 p.m. ET | ESPN |
The times and broadcast information are based on the current NBA schedule and can change.
December 29, 2026: Rockets at Lakers
The first scheduled meeting takes place Tuesday, December 29, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The NBA lists the game for 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, with Peacock/NBC as the listed broadcast partners.
This is the first regular-season meeting between the teams in the 2026-27 campaign, making it the first opportunity for fans to see the teams face each other after their six-game playoff series in 2026.
February 18, 2027: Rockets at Lakers
The teams meet again in Los Angeles on Thursday, February 18, 2027. The NBA lists a 10:00 p.m. ET start at Crypto.com Arena, with Prime Video as the broadcast.
Unlike the December meeting, this game comes later in the season and after the All-Star portion of the schedule, giving fans another regular-season comparison between the two Western Conference teams.
March 28, 2027: Lakers at Rockets
The final currently scheduled regular-season meeting is Sunday, March 28, 2027, when the Lakers travel to Toyota Center in Houston. The NBA lists a 3:00 p.m. ET start and ESPN as the national broadcaster.
This is the only scheduled 2026-27 meeting between the teams in Houston.
What Happened in the 2026 Rockets vs Lakers Playoff Series?
The most recent competitive chapter between these teams was the 2026 Western Conference first round.
The Lakers entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed after finishing the regular season 53-29, while Houston finished fifth at 52-30. The two teams therefore met in a first-round series.
Los Angeles won the series 4-2, advancing after six games.
Complete 2026 Playoff Results
| Game | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Apr. 18, 2026 | Lakers 107, Rockets 98 |
| Game 2 | Apr. 21, 2026 | Lakers 101, Rockets 94 |
| Game 3 | Apr. 24, 2026 | Lakers 112, Rockets 108 OT |
| Game 4 | Apr. 26, 2026 | Rockets 115, Lakers 96 |
| Game 5 | Apr. 29, 2026 | Rockets 99, Lakers 93 |
| Game 6 | May 1, 2026 | Lakers 98, Rockets 78 |
The results show that Houston recovered from an 0-3 start by winning Games 4 and 5 before Los Angeles closed the series in Game 6.
Game 6 was particularly notable because the Lakers won 98-78, while Houston’s 78 points represented its lowest scoring total of the series.
Rockets vs Lakers: 2025-26 Regular-Season Results
The teams also played three regular-season games during 2025-26.
Houston won the Christmas Day matchup 119-96 at Los Angeles. The Lakers then won consecutive meetings in March, taking the first 100-92 and the second 124-116.
That means the 2025-26 regular-season series finished 2-1 in favor of Houston, while Los Angeles later won the playoff series 4-2.
This distinction matters when looking at Rockets vs Lakers results. Regular-season records and playoff series results measure different parts of the season and should not be combined as if they were one competition.
Rockets vs Lakers Head-to-Head Context
The Rockets and Lakers have a long NBA history, including several playoff series.
The 2026 first-round matchup was not their first postseason meeting. Previous playoff series included the 2020 Western Conference semifinals and the 2009 Western Conference semifinals.
The 2026 series also came after a close regular season in which both teams finished above .600. Houston went 52-30, while Los Angeles went 53-29.
Their recent meetings therefore provide useful context, but past scores do not determine the result of a future game.
Where to Watch Rockets vs Lakers
The broadcast depends on the specific game.
For the currently scheduled 2026-27 meetings:
- December 29, 2026: Peacock/NBC
- February 18, 2027: Prime Video
- March 28, 2027: ESPN
The NBA’s official game listings provide the current broadcast information for each matchup.
Because national broadcast schedules can change, checking the NBA schedule close to game day is the safest way to confirm the latest viewing information.
What Makes This Matchup Notable?
The Rockets-Lakers matchup has several layers for NBA fans.
First, both teams are Western Conference opponents, so their regular-season games can matter for the conference standings and playoff positioning.
Second, the teams met in the 2026 playoffs. That gives the upcoming regular-season meetings additional historical context, although the 2026-27 games will be separate from that playoff series.
Third, the schedule creates an interesting geographic split. Houston travels to Los Angeles for the first two meetings, while Los Angeles visits Houston for the March 28 game.
For fans searching for the Rockets vs Lakers score, schedule, or next game, it is important to check the date because the two teams have multiple meetings across the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Rockets vs Lakers game?
As of October 2, 2026, the next scheduled Rockets vs Lakers game is Tuesday, December 29, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The NBA lists the start time as 10:30 p.m. ET and Peacock/NBC as the broadcast.
Where will Rockets vs Lakers be played?
The December 29 and February 18 games will be played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The March 28 matchup will be at Toyota Center in Houston.
Who won the last Rockets vs Lakers game?
The Lakers won the most recent meeting, defeating the Rockets 98-78 on May 1, 2026, in Game 6 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series. Los Angeles won the series 4-2.
How did the 2026 playoff series end?
The Lakers eliminated the Rockets in six games. Houston won Games 4 and 5 after losing the opening three games, but Los Angeles won Game 6 by a score of 98-78 to take the series 4-2.
How many times will the Rockets and Lakers meet in 2026-27?
The current regular-season schedule has three Rockets-Lakers games: December 29, February 18, and March 28. The first two are in Los Angeles, while the final meeting is in Houston.
Conclusion
The Houston Rockets vs Lakers matchup has plenty of recent history behind it. The teams played three regular-season games and a six-game playoff series during 2025-26, with Houston taking two of the three regular-season meetings and Los Angeles winning the playoff series 4-2.
Looking ahead, the 2026-27 schedule currently features three regular-season meetings. The Rockets visit Los Angeles on December 29 and February 18 before the Lakers travel to Houston on March 28.
For fans following scores, schedules, and the latest Rockets-Lakers results, checking the specific game date is important because the teams will meet multiple times during the season.
I am Rana Fareed, an educator and content writer with an MPhil in Business Administration and an LLB (Law) degree. I write on current affairs, English language topics, and synonyms, simplifying complex ideas for everyday readers. Alongside teaching, I am passionate about helping people improve their knowledge and communication skills.
