Rockets hold off Lakers to force Game 6 after falling behind 3-0 in series

The Houston Rockets are still on their back foot, but they’re two wins from making NBA history. After trailing by double-digits at one point in the first quarter, Houston roared back to take Game 5 99-93 against the Los Angeles and force a Game 6 in a series they once trailed 3-0. No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit, but the Rockets will try to take another step toward that feat on Friday.

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 They’ve already achieved something notable, though. Before Wednesday, no visiting team had defeated LeBron James in a closeout game since 2008. Jabari Smith Jr.

led Houston with 22 points on 6-of-13 shooting, while every other starter scored in double-digits. It was Reed Sheppard who delivered the biggest swing of the game in the fourth quarter. Right after the Lakers cut the deficit to three points, with the Crypto.