Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets pulled off another elimination escape, beating the Los Angeles Lakers 99-93 in Game 5 on Thursday. The win trimmed Los Angeles’ series lead to 3-2 and sent the matchup back to Houston for Game 6.
Alperen Sengun nearly posted a triple-double with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Rockets, still without Kevin Durant for the fourth time in five games, leaned on balance and grit to extend their season.
Lakers Falter Despite Austin Reaves’ Return
LeBron James scored 25 points—17 in the second half—and added 7 assists, but the Lakers lost their second straight after stealing Game 3 in dramatic fashion. Austin Reaves returned from a strained oblique that had sidelined him since April 2, scoring 22 points with 6 assists.
Still, Los Angeles committed 15 turnovers, their worst performance of the series, and dropped only their second home game in 16 tries since February. Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and 17 rebounds, but Luka Doncic remained out with a hamstring injury.
Fourth-Quarter Drama
Houston carried an 87-74 lead with under six minutes left before the Lakers mounted an 11-1 run. James’ driving layup cut the deficit to 88-85, but Reed Sheppard answered with a jumper and then stole the ball from James for a dunk with 2:20 remaining.
Ayton’s putback dunk made it 96-93 after James and Reaves both missed open 3-pointers. Amen Thompson split a pair of free throws, and James misfired badly from deep on the next possession, allowing Houston to ice the game.
Rockets Rediscover Their Touch
The Rockets had shot poorly in their first two games in Los Angeles, but they’ve found rhythm in Durant’s absence. Smith Jr. even declared before Game 5 that Houston was “obviously the better team” despite trailing 3-1. His confidence showed on the floor as Houston played with poise and balance.
What’s Next
No NBA team has ever recovered from an 0-3 deficit to win a playoff series, but Houston is halfway there. Only four of 159 teams in that position have ever forced a Game 7. The Rockets will try to join that short list on Saturday in Houston.
Meanwhile, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder are resting after sweeping the Phoenix Suns, waiting for the winner of this series.
