Rockets Grow Up And Force Game 6 Against Lakers, Smith Says

Houston Rockets kept their season alive with a 99-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, stretching the first-round series to a Game 6 after once trailing 3-0. Jabari Smith Jr. led Houston with 22 points and seven rebounds, hitting four of nine from beyond the arc during a composed performance at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.

The result trimmed the Lakers’ advantage in the best-of-seven matchup to 3-2 and denied them a close-out opportunity at home. Houston, which had been on the verge of an early playoff exit, pulled clear late in the fourth quarter, protecting the lead that slipped away in the dramatic Game 3 loss.

Smith and Reed Sheppard were heavily involved in that earlier setback, when the Rockets held a six-point cushion with 30 seconds left in Game 3 but lost 112-108 in overtime after turnovers from both players. This time, the fourth-year forward steadied Houston, and Smith felt the group responded with greater maturity under pressure.

"I think it was just a learning moment. And I feel like we grew up. We're growing up together, Smith said. And it's just good to see Reed bounce back from the mistake, me bounce back from the mistake. A week ago, we folded and lost the game, you know what I'm saying? So I think that's a step in the right direction."

By extending the series, Houston became the 16th team in NBA history to force a Game 6 after falling 3-0 behind in a best-of-seven. The last team to manage that situation was the Boston Celtics, who recovered to 3-3 against the Miami Heat in 2023 before dropping Game 7.

No NBA side has ever advanced from a 3-0 deficit to reach the second round, but coach Ime Udoka highlighted that the Rockets are used to long series. Udoka referenced last season against the Golden State Warriors, when Houston trailed 3-1 yet pushed the matchup to a deciding Game 7 before eventually losing the tie.

Udoka underlined the team’s mindset and pointed to specific improvements in late-game scenarios. "We knew we were going to battle, Udoka said.It's just showing growth in certain moments and progress in certain moments. And I think we did that." The coach praised Houston’s composure as they closed out the contest in Los Angeles.

The Lakers still lead the aggregate scoring by a narrow margin across the opening five games. However, Houston have shown regular scoring threats, outgunning Los Angeles by five points overall. That slim gap reflects how competitive the series has been, despite the initial 3-0 advantage held by the Lakers.

LeBron James again led Los Angeles in Game 5, finishing with 25 points and seven assists, yet could not drag the Lakers over the line. Asked about Smith’s post-game claim that Houston had been the better team in every matchup, James dismissed the relevance of that type of comment.

"I don't care about s***like that, bro, James said. The game is won between the four lines. I don't give a damn. Who cares? Of course, you say it. What would you say [instead], 'Oh, we're not the better team'?Ask one of the young guys [in the locker room] that question. I'm too old for that s***."

Although James played down the debate about which side has controlled the series, James accepted that Los Angeles must tighten up in key areas to close it out in six. "Some of [our mistakes] were game-plan discipline, and some of them were just unforced errors, James added. So, we got to be better in both areas."

The Lakers now travel knowing Houston carry renewed confidence and a belief that recent experiences have hardened the squad. The Rockets, boosted by Smith’s bounce-back performance and Udoka’s message about growth, approach Game 6 with momentum, while Los Angeles look to correct errors and avoid facing a decisive Game 7.