Rockets stave off elimination with Game 5 win, but history and injuries loom large

Key facts

• Rockets defeated Lakers 99-93 in Game 5 to force a Game 6.
• Houston trailed the series 3-0; no NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit.
• Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 22 points on 6-of-13 shooting.
• Reed Sheppard hit a pull-up jumper and breakaway dunk in the fourth quarter to extend the lead.
• Lakers guard Austin Reaves returned after a Grade 2 oblique strain, scoring 22 points off the bench.
• Rockets star Kevin Durant remains out with a left ankle sprain and bone bruise.
• Before Wednesday, no visiting team had defeated LeBron James in a closeout game since 2008.

Rockets roar back to force Game 6

The Houston Rockets kept their playoff hopes alive with a 99-93 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday, narrowing the series deficit to 3-2. After trailing by double digits in the first quarter, Houston mounted a furious comeback, outscoring the Lakers in the second half to secure the win at Crypto.com Arena. No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit, but the Rockets now have a chance to push the series to a decisive Game 7. The victory also marked the first time since 2008 that a visiting team has defeated LeBron James in a closeout game, underscoring the magnitude of the achievement.

Smith and Sheppard lead the charge

Jabari Smith Jr. paced the Rockets with 22 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while every other starter scored in double figures. However, it was rookie Reed Sheppard who delivered the game's pivotal sequence in the fourth quarter. After the Lakers cut the lead to three points, Sheppard hit a pull-up jumper over center Deandre Ayton, then stole the ball from LeBron James and converted a breakaway dunk to push the lead back to seven. Sheppard's two-way play energized the Rockets and silenced the home crowd, which had been roaring after the Lakers' run. The sequence exemplified Houston's resilience and ability to execute under pressure.

Injuries shape the series

Both teams are dealing with significant absences. The Rockets have been without leading scorer Kevin Durant for all but one game of the series due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise. It remains unclear whether Durant will return for Game 6 or a potential Game 7. The Lakers, meanwhile, welcomed back guard Austin Reaves, who had been sidelined since April 2 with a Grade 2 oblique strain. Reaves, who was second on the team in scoring during the regular season, came off the bench and contributed 22 points and six assists in starter-level minutes. However, Los Angeles is still missing Luka Dončić, leaving the team short-handed.

A lesson learned from Game 3 collapse

The Rockets' path to this point has been fraught with missed opportunities. Houston squandered a chance to take control of the series in Game 3, a brutal loss that left them facing a 3-0 hole. Star center Alperen Şengün indicated that the team had learned a valuable lesson from that defeat, though he did not elaborate. Wednesday's win may carry a tinge of regret: if the Rockets had not fallen apart in Game 3, they would now be trying to close out the series at home. Instead, they must continue their uphill climb on the road.

What lies ahead: Thunder await

The winner of this series will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. Oklahoma City, which has already advanced, likely watched Wednesday's result with interest, as a longer series for Houston means less rest for the Rockets before the next round. For now, the Rockets are focused solely on Game 6, scheduled for Friday. They will need to replicate their Game 5 performance and hope for continued contributions from their supporting cast. The Lakers, meanwhile, will look to close out the series at home and avoid a Game 7 that would test their depth even further.

LeBron James achieves a playoff milestone

Despite the loss, Lakers star LeBron James added another milestone to his storied career: he now holds the NBA record for playoff steals. The achievement came in a losing effort, but it underscores James's enduring impact on the game. James's performance in the series has been typically strong, but the Lakers' inability to put away the Rockets in Game 5 has given Houston renewed hope. The series now shifts back to Los Angeles for Game 6, where the Lakers will attempt to regain control.

The bottom line

• Houston forced a Game 6 with a 99-93 win, but still trails 3-2 in the series.
• No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 series deficit; the Rockets need two more wins to make history.
• Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard were key contributors, with Sheppard delivering a crucial fourth-quarter sequence.
• Kevin Durant remains out for Houston, while Austin Reaves returned for the Lakers after injury.
• The winner will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals.
• LeBron James set a new playoff steals record despite the loss.