Greg Beacham, AP Sports Writer and published on NBA.Com;
Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points, Tari Eason added 18 and the Houston Rockets avoided playoff elimination for the second straight game with a 99-93 victory over the Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday night, trimming Los Angeles’ lead in the first-round series to 3-2.
Alperen Sengun had 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the fifth-seeded Rockets, who sent the series back to Houston for Game 6 on Friday night with a gritty performance to overcome Austin Reaves’ return to the Lakers.
Houston has won two straight even without top scorer Kevin Durant, who has missed four of the series’ five games with injuries.
The Rockets’ Game 3 blunder is the only reason the Lakers aren’t the ones on the verge of elimination.
Game 6 will be back in Houston this Friday night.
Game highlights;
The Rockets defeated the Lakers, 99-93 tonight in Los Angeles. Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 22 points to go with 7 rebounds and 4 three pointers, while Tari Eason contributed 18 points (6-11 FG, 2-6 3P) in the game. LeBron James finished with a team-high 25 points along with 7 assists for the Lakers in the losing effort. The Lakers lead the series 3-2.
Jabari Smith Jr. stepped up big to keep the Rockets season alive!
🚀 22 PTS
🚀 6-13 FGM
🚀 7 REB
🚀 2 BLKFrom down 3-0 to down 3-2… Game 6 is Friday at 9:30 PM ET on Prime. pic.twitter.com/8ErP6EYsUG
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026
AYTON BLOCK.
RUI THREE.7-0 Lakers run… it's a 6-point game!
Under 5 minutes left in Game 5 🍿 pic.twitter.com/4ZCAsdeuyN
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026
ROCKETS STAVE OFF ELIMINATION AGAIN.
FROM DOWN 3-0, TO DOWN 3-2 🚨
Game 6: Friday, 9:30pm/et, Prime pic.twitter.com/lfjBYyffAb
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026
REED SHEPPARD. CLUTCH.
The jumper, the steal, the flush… Houston's lead is back up to 7 with 2:20 remaining!
They can force Game 6 with a W 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ktycOoOcEh
— NBA (@NBA) April 30, 2026
