Game 5: Jabari Smith Jr. delivers as Rockets stay alive versus Lakers
· Yahoo Sports
A few days ago, a late turnover by Jabari Smith Jr. was among the pivotal moments in Houston’s crushing Game 3 loss to the Lakers.
In Wednesday’s Game 5 at Los Angeles, with the Rockets needing 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 a 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 score). That team-high scoring total was boosted by making 6-of-8 free throws (75.0%), punctuated by a pair of makes in the closing seconds to secure the win.
With the win, Houston now trails the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series by a 3-2 margin. Game 6 is Friday night in Houston, with the game televised and streamed to a national audience via Prime Video. Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. Central.
Other key statistics from Wednesday’s Game 5 included:
- Tari Eason: 18 points, 5 rebounds; 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), 4-of-5 on free throws (80.0%)
- Alperen Sengun: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 turnovers; 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%), 4-of-4 on free throws
- Amen Thompson: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals; 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%), 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%), 5-of-8 on free throws (62.5%)
- Reed Sheppard: 12 points, 6 assists, 3 steals; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%), 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%)
- LeBron James (Lakers): 25 points, 7 assists; 9-of-20 shooting (45.0%), 0-of-6 on 3-pointers, 7-of-10 on free throws (70.0%)
- Austin Reaves (Lakers): 22 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds; 4-of-16 shooting (25.0%), 12-of-13 on free throws (92.3%)
The Rockets held Lakers guard Luke Kennard to just 1 point in 31 minutes on 0-of-4 shooting, with head coach Ime Udoka referring to that as a “focal point” for Houston’s defense. Thompson and Josh Okogie were among the primary defenders with that responsibility.
All-Star forward Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain, bone bruise) remained sidelined for a third consecutive 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 the league’s history, and the Rockets are just the 16th to force a Game 6. Though they ultimately lost the series, Houston did storm back from a 3-1 deficit in the 2025 first round against the Golden State Warriors to force a Game 7.
Jabari on Smart and Amen on Kennard was a TERRIFIC adjustment by #Rockets because it takes away the advantage both had as screeners for LeBron.
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) April 30, 2026
Lakers have not had same movement 3s they had in Games 1/2. Lakers offense has stagnated. Driving lanes and spacing thrown off. https://t.co/WpU2KvauAa
“I just feel like from top to bottom, you can say it's an opinion, you can say I am biased, I just think we are the better team.”
— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) April 30, 2026
Team high 22 points for Jabari Smith. Backing up his statement on the court. pic.twitter.com/v77g73P4go
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Game 5: Jabari Smith Jr. delivers as Rockets stay alive versus Lakers