Game 5: Jabari Smith Jr. delivers as Rockets stay alive against Lakers

In Wednesday’s Game 5 in Los Angeles, when the Rockets needed a win to stay alive and force the series back to Houston for a Game 6, the fourth-year forward made amends.

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Smith finished with 22 points and 7 rebounds, including 4 of 9 from 3-point range (44.4%), as Houston pulled away in a 99-93 victory (box scoring). That team-high scoring total was fueled by 6 of 8 free throws (75.0%), punctuated by a pair of hits in the final seconds to secure the victory.

With the win, Houston now trails the best-of-seven first-round playoff series by a 3-2 margin. Game 6 will be played Friday night in Houston and will be televised and streamed to a national audience via Prime Video. Kickoff is at 8:30 pm central time.

Other key statistics from Wednesday’s Game 5 included:

• Tari Eason: 18 points, 5 rebounds; 6 of 11 in shots (54.5%), 4 of 5 in free throws (80.0%)

• Alperen Sengun: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 turnovers; 5 of 9 in shots (55.6%), 4 of 4 in free throws

• Amen Thompson: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals; 4 of 14 in shots (28.6%), 2 of 5 in triples (40.0%), 5 of 8 in free throws (62.5%)

• Reed Sheppard: 12 points, 6 assists, 3 steals; 5 of 12 shots (41.7%), 2 of 7 in triples (28.6%)

• LeBron James (Lakers): 25 points, 7 assists; 9 of 20 in shots (45.0%), 0 of 6 in triples, 7 of 10 in free throws (70.0%)

• Austin Reaves (Lakers): 22 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds; 4 of 16 in shots (25.0%), 12 of 13 in free throws (92.3%)

The Rockets held Lakers guard Luke Kennard to just 1 point in 31 minutes on 0-for-4 shooting, and head coach Ime Udoka referred to that as a “focal point” for Houston’s defense. Thompson and Josh Okogie were among the top defenders with that responsibility.

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All-Star forward Kevin Durant (sprained left ankle, bone bruise) remained sidelined for the third straight game for the Rockets, and his status for Friday’s Game 6 is unclear.

Teams facing an 0-3 deficit in the NBA playoffs are 0-160 in league history, and the Rockets are just the 16th to force a Game 6. Although they ultimately lost the series, Houston rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the 2025 first round against the Golden State Warriors to force a Game 7.

Further: Kevin Durant ruled out as Rockets face Lakers in must-win Game 5