Rockets Lakers Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, center, passes the ball as Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason, left, and center Alperen Sengun defend during the first half in Game 5 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Wednesday, April 29, 2026, in Los Angeles.
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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. Los Angeles' lead in the first-round series is down 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’ 22-point return to the Lakers. LeBron James scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half and added seven assists, but missed two 3-point attempts in the final minute.
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