By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Houston Rockets staved off elimination once more on Wednesday night, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 99–93 at crypto.com Arena to pull within 3-2 in their best-of-seven for the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, presented by Google.
The hosts appeared to take control early, mounting an 11-point lead late in the first quarter. However, the first half proved to be a volatile affair featuring five lead changes and three ties before the Rockets seized command and maintained the lead throughout the second half, often holding a double-digit cushion.
A late rally and five straight points from LeBron James trimmed the deficit to just three points with three minutes remaining, but Ime Udoka’s squad narrowly held on in the closing moments to extend their 2025-26 journey. After their second straight win, the series heads back to Texas for Game 6 on Friday.
Turkish starting center Alperen Sengun flirted with a triple-double in Game 5, registering 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, alongside two steals and a block in 43 minutes of action. However, Swiss backup center Clint Capela stayed on the bench.
On the wrong side, the absence of Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic, who has been sidelined since suffering a left hamstring strain in early April, continued to loom large. In contrast, Austin Reaves returned with 22 points in 34 minutes off the bench. German forward Maxi Kleber remained out of the rotation.
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Detroit Pistons – Orlando Magic 2-3 (101-112, 98-83, 105-113, 88-94, 116-109)
2. Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 3-2 (126-113, 115-105, 104-126, 89-93, 125-120)
3. New York Knicks – Atlanta Hawks 3-2 (113-102, 106-107, 108-109, 114-98, 126-97)
4. Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 3-2 (123-91, 97-111, 108-100, 128-96, 97-113)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Winners 1-2
6. Winners 3-4
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
Western Conference
Quarterfinals (best-of-seven)
1. Oklahoma City Thunder – Phoenix Suns 4-0 (119-84, 120-107, 121-109, 131-122)
2. Los Angeles Lakers – Houston Rockets 3-2 (107-98, 101-94, 112-108, 96-115, 93-99)
3. Denver Nuggets – Minnesota Timberwolves 2-3 (126-115, 114-119, 96-113, 96-112, 125-113)
4. San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 4-1 (111-98, 103-106, 120-108, 114-93, 114-95)
Semifinals (best-of-seven)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder – Winner 2
6. San Antonio Spurs – Winner 3
Finals (best-of-seven)
Winners of Semifinals
NBA Finals 2026 (best-of-seven)
Eastern Conference and Western Conference champions