The Rockets' momentum is growing, and the Lakers must respond
The Lakers must clean up their mistakes to avoid further disaster as they head back to Houston for Game 6.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) attempt to secure the loose ball during an NBA playoffs game on April 29, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers still hold control of their first-round series, but the momentum has shifted in a way that can no longer be ignored. After building a 3-0 series lead, the Lakers have dropped back-to-back games to the Houston Rockets, and Game 5 revealed exactly why: turnovers, inconsistent offense, and a Houston team converting L.
A. ’s mistakes into momentum. In Wednesday’s 99-93 loss, the Lakers committed 15 turnovers, many of them forced passes and sloppy giveaways, and those mistakes turned directly into 10 steals for Houston.
Over the last two losses, the Lakers have now turned the ball over 39 times, with the Rockets generating 27 steals in that span — a swing that has helped fuel Houston’s comeback with Kevin Durant playing in just one game thus far in the series. “Turnovers, they come in all shapes and sizes, and it's about limiting them, and you certainly have to give your guys freedom to make basketball plays,” coach JJ Redick said after Game 5. “Turnovers of aggression are okay.
Turnovers of passivity are not. ” Redick pointed to stretches in the second quarter where turnovers halted any offensive rhythm, allowing Houston to take their first lead of the game and eventually build separation. That control was reflected in the flow of the game.