JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 824

HOUSTON — The Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a six-point deficit in the final 30 seconds to force overtime and defeated the Houston Rockets 112-108 on Friday, with LeBron James scoring 29 points and hitting a tying three with about 13 seconds remaining in regulation.

The victory gives the Lakers a 3-0 series lead and a chance to complete a sweep in Houston on Sunday; coach Ime Udoka criticized his team's late-game execution, Kevin Durant remained absent with a sprained left ankle, and the Rockets now face steep odds to avoid elimination.

Groton, Connecticut. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Idaho, a 377-foot Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, at Naval Submarine Base New London. Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat as the 26th Virginia-class vessel, the boat will be commanded by Chad Guillerault and is expected to carry about 150 sailors, Navy officials said during a media preview on Friday.

Arco and Boise also saw regional developments this week: Idaho National Laboratory unveiled the DOME microreactor test facility at the EBR-2 containment building as part of 2026 preparations for America's 250th anniversary, and in Boise, the family of former Governor Dirk Kempthorne announced his death Friday evening; Governor Brad Little ordered flags at half-staff to honor Kempthorne.

Jefferson City — The Jefferson City Jays played multiple tournament games this weekend, losing 8-1 to Capital City in the Blair Oaks C-team Tournament opener on Friday and later dropping a fifth-place game 12-2 to Southern Boone on Saturday at the Falcon Athletic Complex; they also split games in the Fort Zumwalt North Invitational, recording a 5-3 win and a separate loss.

On Saturday Jefferson City recorded a 5-3 victory over Fort Zumwalt North in O'Fallon but finished 1-2 in that Invitational, while Capital City secured third place in the Blair Oaks C-team bracket and Tipton won the California/Versailles Turf War championship 3-2; coaches noted complete games from Devin Hawkins and Paxton Holliday and teams are scheduled for additional matchups this week.

Washington: The Cascio family filed a lawsuit this week alleging Michael Jackson sexually abused four of their children at Neverland Ranch, during tours, and at concert stops, according to court filings and reports by The Hollywood Reporter and The New York Times; the claim surfaced a day after the biopic Michael opened in theaters worldwide.

The estate has disputed aspects of the allegations, with some outlets reporting the family and estate previously reached a private settlement reportedly totaling about $16 million paid over five years; one publication quoted the estate characterizing the suit as a 'money grab'. Legal proceedings and evidentiary review are expected to follow in coming months.

HOUSTON — The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 112-108 in overtime in Game 3 on Friday at the Toyota Center, when LeBron James scored 29 points and Marcus Smart finished with 21 points and 10 assists; James also stole the ball and hit a game-tying three in the closing seconds of regulation.

Houston now faces elimination with the Lakers leading the best-of-seven series 3-0; the teams will meet again Sunday for Game 4. Rockets coach Ime Udoka criticized late mistakes and youth after the loss, while Marcus Smart’s late free throws and overtime play secured the Lakers’ position and set up a potential series sweep.

CINCINNATI — Nathaniel Lowe hit a ninth-inning walk-off home run to lift the Cincinnati Reds to a 9-8 victory over the Detroit Tigers Friday night after a one-hour, 49-minute rain delay at Great American Ball Park; Lowe had two home runs and was added to the lineup after a late scratch.

The comeback erased a 5-0 deficit earlier in the game and followed a six-inning stretch interrupted by heavy rain; Reds manager Terry Francona saw his team secure their seventh one-run win of the season, while the Tigers and closer Kenley Jansen absorbed the loss and will regroup for upcoming matchups.

PHILADELPHIA — The Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 108-100 Friday night in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with Jayson Tatum scoring 25 points and hitting a go-ahead three-pointer in the final 30 seconds to seal the victory. Jaylen Brown added 25 points, and Tyrese Maxey led all scorers with 31 despite taking 31 shots.

The Celtics now lead the series 2-1, reclaiming home-court advantage heading into Game 4 this week; coaches and players cited offensive rebounding and second-chance points, with the Celtics gaining a reported 15-13 advantage on the offensive glass and a 22-17 edge in second-chance scoring, according to postgame figures and quotes.

Houston — At the close of Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, Texans general manager Nick Caserio publicly rejected trade inquiries for Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins, saying the team is not trading him. This week the Texans also used early draft assets and signed undrafted players as they focused on roster construction around quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The immediate consequence is a firm message to interested teams and agents that Collins will remain in Houston for the near term; contract and salary-cap figures reported by outlets will shape future discussions. This month the Texans traded up to select guard Keylan Rutledge and added undrafted specialists such as punter Jack Stonehouse as they prepare for offseason program and training camp evaluations.

Los Angeles — Four siblings from New Jersey filed a federal lawsuit in February alleging they were groomed and abused for years by members of Michael Jackson’s entourage, naming the Jackson estate and individuals including attorneys John Branca and John McLain and investigator Herman Weisberg; plaintiffs gave an extensive New York Times interview this week.

The complaint, publicized April 25 after the NYT interview, arrived as a Michael Jackson biopic was earning positive audience response in theatres; the plaintiffs seek legal redress and public accountability while the estate and named individuals face legal and reputational scrutiny and subsequent court proceedings will follow the filings.

United States: The U.S. Southern Command said Friday that American forces conducted a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific that it identified as transiting known narcotics routes and operated by a designated terrorist organization; the command reported two people killed, with one outlet reporting three on April 26.

The announcement comes amid a campaign launched in early September that has involved roughly fifty known strikes and produced differing tallies — from at least 163 to 185 reported deaths — prompting media and legal scrutiny; SOUTHCOM named Joint Task Force Southern Spear and Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan in posts this week and indicated operations will continue.