The Houston Rockets extended their season with a 99-93 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, cutting the series deficit to 3-2.
Houston executed with balance on both ends, placing five players in double figures while limiting mistakes against a Lakers team that struggled with turnovers. The visitors finished with 25 assists to 10 turnovers, a key edge in a six-point game.
Jabari Smith Jr. led the scoring with 22 points, knocking down four three-pointers and adding seven rebounds. Tari Eason complemented him with 18 points on efficient shooting, giving Houston consistent production from the forward spots.
Alperen Sengun controlled the interior with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, operating as a hub in half-court offense. His playmaking helped offset the absence of Kevin Durant, who has missed four of the five games in the series.
Amen Thompson contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Reed Sheppard added 12 points and six assists, including a crucial late sequence that shifted momentum. Sheppard hit a jumper and followed with a steal and dunk with 2:20 remaining to push the lead back to multiple possessions.
The Lakers were led by LeBron James, who scored 25 points and had seven assists, with 17 of those points coming after halftime. Austin Reaves returned from injury and added 22 points and six assists, providing secondary creation alongside James.
Deandre Ayton anchored the paint with 18 points and 17 rebounds, including 10 offensive boards, but Los Angeles could not capitalize consistently on second-chance opportunities. The home team committed 15 turnovers, which disrupted offensive flow and limited shot quality.
Los Angeles made a late push with an 11-1 run to cut the deficit to 88-85 on a James layup, but missed perimeter shots in key moments. The Lakers finished 7-of-27 from three-point range, compared to Houston’s 14-of-40 mark.
Houston built a 13-point lead midway through the fourth quarter and maintained composure during the late surge. Free throws and defensive stops allowed the Rockets to close the game despite shooting 44% from the field overall.
Game 6 will be played Friday in Houston, where the Rockets will look to continue their push after winning consecutive elimination games.
