Lakers' shooting woes continue as Rockets force Game 6 in Houston

Key facts

• Rockets defeated Lakers 99-93 in Game 5 on Wednesday.
• Lakers led series 3-0 before losing Games 4 and 5.
• Lakers shot 24.5% on 3-pointers (12 of 49) in Games 4-5.
• Rockets shot 37.1% on 3s (26 of 70) in Games 4-5.
• Austin Reaves scored 22 points in Game 5.
• LeBron James went 0 of 6 on 3-pointers in Game 5.
• Luke Kennard scored 64 points in Games 1-3, only 8 points in Games 4-5.
• Game 6 is scheduled for Friday in Houston.

Lakers' offense stalls as Rockets even series

The Los Angeles Lakers, once in command of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets, now face a decisive Game 6 after a 99-93 home loss on Wednesday. The defeat marked their second consecutive setback, squandering a 3-0 lead and shifting momentum firmly to the Rockets. Austin Reaves, returning from injury, scored 22 points but could not reverse the team's offensive slide. "I mean, it helps when shots go in," Reaves said, noting that LeBron James had several shots that rimmed out in the first half. "I missed two easy layups, I missed two or three good looks from 3, one little midrange. You make shots, you miss shots." The Lakers' shooting efficiency has regressed in each game of the series, a troubling trend as they head to Houston for a pivotal Game 6 on Friday.

From hot start to cold finish: shooting percentages plummet

In the first three games, the Lakers shot a blistering 46.1% from 3-point range, connecting on 35 of 76 attempts. The Rockets, by contrast, managed only 28.7% (29 of 101). That gap fueled Los Angeles's early dominance. But the tables have turned. Over Games 4 and 5, the Lakers made just 24.5% of their 3s (12 of 49), including 25.9% (7 of 27) in Game 5. Meanwhile, the Rockets improved to 37.1% (26 of 70) from deep. The Lakers have gone from hitting wide-open 3s at a rate better than floaters to struggling with even the easiest looks. A stark illustration: Rockets wing Amen Thompson, a career 21.9% 3-point shooter in the regular season, made as many 3s in Game 5 (two) as Reaves, James and Luke Kennard combined. Reaves shot 2 of 8 from beyond the arc, James 0 of 6, and Kennard missed both of his attempts.

Kennard's sharp decline epitomizes Lakers' struggles

Luke Kennard, who scored a combined 64 points on 55.3% shooting (52.9% on 3s) in the first three games, has virtually disappeared. Over the last two games, he has managed only eight points on 25% shooting, missing all five of his 3-point attempts. In Game 5, he scored just one point. LeBron James acknowledged the team's offensive woes. "We had some opportunities to make some shots we didn't make," he said. "Obviously, they were generating good shots. As much as we got to defend, you also got to score in this game, too. I don't think we did that at a good rate, especially in the second and the third." The Lakers' inability to sustain offensive production has put immense pressure on their defense, which held the Rockets to 99 points but could not compensate for the scoring drought.

Rockets seize momentum after trailing 3-0

The Rockets, facing elimination after falling behind 3-0, have won two straight to force a Game 6. Their improved 3-point shooting and defensive adjustments have neutralized the Lakers' early-series advantage. Houston now returns home with a chance to tie the series and force a Game 7. The Lakers, meanwhile, must regroup and find answers for their shooting slump. The series has shifted from a potential sweep to a genuine battle, with the Rockets believing they can complete an improbable comeback. Game 6 tips off Friday in Houston, with the Lakers desperate to avoid becoming the 13th team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 lead.

What lies ahead: Game 6 and the pressure on Los Angeles

The Lakers enter Game 6 facing a familiar narrative: a team that dominated early now clinging to its series lead. History offers little comfort; only four teams have overcome a 3-0 deficit in NBA playoff history, but the Rockets have momentum and home court. For Los Angeles, the solution appears straightforward but elusive: make shots. The Lakers shot 46.1% from 3 in their three wins and 24.5% in their two losses. If they can rediscover their early-series form, they can close out the series. If not, the Rockets have shown they are capable of forcing a decisive Game 7. The pressure falls on James, Reaves, and Kennard to reverse the trend. James, in particular, will need to lead by example after an 0-for-6 night from deep. The Lakers' season hangs in the balance.

The bottom line

• Lakers have lost two straight after taking a 3-0 series lead, with Game 6 in Houston on Friday.
• Los Angeles's 3-point shooting has collapsed from 46.1% in Games 1-3 to 24.5% in Games 4-5.
• Luke Kennard's scoring dropped from 64 points in the first three games to 8 in the last two.
• Rockets' 3-point shooting improved to 37.1% in Games 4-5, reversing the early-series disparity.
• LeBron James shot 0 of 6 on 3s in Game 5, highlighting the team's offensive struggles.
• Only four NBA teams have overcome a 3-0 series deficit; the Rockets aim to become the fifth.