As LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers get closer to advancing to the next round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, there’s still the goal of one game at a time. The NBA great knows that nothing is guaranteed in his 23rd season, but this time it seems different.
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Los Angeles can take the series in five minutes on Wednesday. The Rockets defeated the Lakers 115-96 on Monday night. Amen Thompson led Houston with 23 points to give the series back to the City of Angels.
Rockets vs. Lakers: Score from Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs
In a rare moment, James was asked about the long-running GOAT debate with Michael Jordan. While the two are considered the Mount Rushmore of the NBA, is there any comparison? The King doesn’t believe it.
“I hope at least I made him proud by wearing that number 23,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin this week. “I’ve never compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different. I’ve been a forward/striker all my life. I’ve always looked for the pass. MJ looked for the shot. No, he did it. He looked for the shot.”
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James is playing with a “second wind” after the Lakers took a 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets. The matchup between the 4th and 5th has not lived up to expectations in the Western Conference First Round series. There is no Luka Doncic, but James shoots 51.5% and averages 20.9 points for the Lakers.
On the other end, Kevin Durant has been dealing with a bone bruise that has sidelined him for 2-3 weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Rockets still don’t have him in Game 5, tilting the series toward the Lakers. The Rockets seek to avoid elimination on the road. Houston is 29-23 in the West and ranks second, scoring 53.0 points per game in the paint.
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Rockets vs. Lakers live updates, highlights from Game 5 of the NBA playoffs
4th quarter- 9:39: LeBron James stops the bleeding with an assist at 82-71
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4th quarter- 9:55: The Rockets scored consecutive three-pointers to take the largest lead at 82-69.
4th quarter- 10:26: Houston holds on to a 79-69 lead
End of the third quarter: Rockets 76, Lakers 67
3rd quarter- 1:00: The Rockets tie the biggest lead of the game with a Josh Okogie dunk.
3rd Quarter- 2:00: Houston takes a 74-64 lead and can pull further away.
3rd quarter- 2:52: The Rockets take a 72-64 lead with a triple by Aaron Holiday. Houston’s 12th attempt from beyond the arc.
3rd quarter- 3:41: Both teams are trading buckets once again. Houston up 69-64
3rd quarter- 5:19: LeBron James is starting to make an impact. Houston remains up 65-60.
3rd quarter- 6:13: TV standby time. The Rockets beat the Lakers 65-56
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3rd quarter- 7:24: Jabari Smith Jr. scores a three-pointer to put Houston ahead 65-54.
3rd quarter- 7:46: A flagrant foul called on Tari Eason as he put Austin Reaves on the line.
3rd quarter- 7:46: Houston has everything right with a 62-53 lead
3rd quarter- 9:36: A three-pointer by Tari Eason put Houston up 59-51 on an 8-0 run.
3rd quarter- 10:43: Austin Reaves scored two more from the free throw line to bring Los Angeles within three points at 54-51
3rd quarter- 11:20: A couple quick free throws by Austin Reaves. He has 13 points to lead all scorers.
Start of the 3rd Quarter
Team statistics at halftime
|
Halftime statistics |
houston |
THE |
|---|---|---|
|
F.G. |
19-38 |
17-40 |
|
Field Goal % |
50 |
43 |
|
3 points |
8-21 |
6-15 |
|
% of three points |
38 |
40 |
|
FOOT |
5-7 |
7-7 |
|
Free throw % |
71 |
100 |
|
Rebounds |
15 |
21 |
|
Offensive rebounds |
2 |
7 |
|
Defensive rebounds |
13 |
14 |
|
Assists |
14 |
13 |
|
steal |
6 |
3 |
|
Blocks |
4 |
1 |
|
Total turnover |
6 |
9 |
|
Points out of losses |
7 |
9 |
|
Counterattack Points |
2 |
4 |
|
Points in paint |
22 |
18 |
|
Fouls |
10 |
8 |
|
Technical faults |
0 |
0 |
|
Flagrant fouls |
0 |
0 |
|
Biggest advantage |
4 |
11 |
|
Percent led |
33 |
62 |
Halftime in Los Angeles: Rockets 51, Lakers 47
2nd quarter: 15.8 seconds: Tari Eason responds with a triple for the Rockets for a 51-47 lead.
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2nd quarter: 40.8 seconds: Rui Hachimura scores a triple with Houston up 48-47
2nd quarter- 1:22: TV standby time. Houston wins 48-44 with two quick baskets
2nd quarter- 2:26: Austin Reaves hit another three-pointer to tie the game at 44.
2nd quarter- 2:30: Both teams have exchanged buckets. Additionally, the game has started to become more physical. Houston up 44-41
2nd quarter- 4:51: Josh Okogie scored a three-pointer with the Rockets up 40-36
2nd quarter- 5:42: A pair of Le”Bron James free throws bring Los Angeles within one at 37-36
2nd quarter- 6:05: A Reed Sheppard layup puts the Rockets up 37-34
2nd quarter- 6:23: TV standby time. The Rockets take a 35-32 lead on a three-pointer by Reed Sheppard.
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2nd quarter- 7:45: The Rockets tied the game at 32 with a pair of free throws by Amen Thomson.
2nd quarter- 7:59: Both teams exchange balls with the Lakers with a 32-30 lead.
2nd quarter- 10:36: Jabari Smith Jr. scores another triple and Los Angeles’ lead is reduced to 28-27.
2nd quarter- 11:12: Dorian Finney-Smith hits a three-pointer with Los Angeles up 28-24.
End of the 1st quarter: Lakers 28, Rockets 21
Points off turnovers: LA- 7, Houston-0
1st quarter: 48.5 seconds Amen Thompson hit a three-pointer to stop the Rockets’ bleeding 26-18
1st quarter- 1:06: LeBron James’ layup streak for the Lakers’ biggest lead 26-15
1st quarter- 1:41: Austin Reaves heads to the line after being fouled on a three-pointer. He makes all three shots for a 24-15 lead.
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1st quarter- 2:09: Austin Reaves’ layup puts the Lakers up 21-15
1st quarter- 2:50: Television waiting time. The Lakers lead 19-15. Both teams are starting to get used to the game.
1st quarter- 3:56: Austin Reaves hits a triple for his first points of the series. The Lakers win 19-13.
1st quarter- 4:15: LeBron James missed a dunk on one end and comes back with a steal, the 500th in playoff history. The Lakers win 16-13.
1st quarter- 5:34: Austin Reaves in the game. His first action since April 2 after missing nine games.
1st quarter- 5:39: The Lakers take their biggest lead so far 14-9 over the Rockets. A quick 8 points from Marcus Smart
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1st quarter- 7:58: LeBron James with a good assist to Rui Hachimura for a dunk. The Lakers regain the lead 7-6
1st quarter- 8:48: Both teams are fighting from the start with the Lakers up 5-4
1st quarter- 9:33: Smart heads to the line after a foul with the Rockets up 4-3
1st quarter-11:37: The Lakers open the game with a 3-0 lead with a triple by Marcus Smart.
After a 20 minute delay, start in Los Angeles
Delayed start of the match
10:18 pm ET Cleveland wins series 3-2 with 125-120 victory
10:17 pm ET Cleveland up 125-120 with 2.4 seconds left. I’m not sure Toronto has enough time.
10:13 pm ET – Cleveland up 125-120 with Toronto coming in with 18 seconds left
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10:10 pm ET- Cleveland up 124-120 with 22.5 seconds left
10:07 pm ET – The game between the Cavs and Raptors has delayed the start time for the Rockets and Lakers. There are currently 2:01 left in the fourth quarter with Cleveland up 124-116.
Austin Reaves read to go for the Lakers.
Reactions to Game 5 between Rockets and Lakers
How to watch Houston Rockets (52-30) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) Game 5 of the NBA playoffs
Wednesday, April 29 10 pm Eastern Time
Television: ESPN
The Lakers lead the series 3-1
Game 5 of Lakers vs. Rockets will be broadcast on ABC on ESPN and live on the ESPN app.
Now you can watch ESPN without cable. Live stream NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, college sports, plus SportsCenter, First Take and all your favorite ESPN shows, anytime, anywhere, only on the ESPN app.
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