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The Houston Rockets were about 25 seconds away from getting their first win in the NBA playoffs — instead, they’ll have to make an unprecedented comeback.
The Rockets blew their late six-point lead on the Los Angeles Lakers after costly turnovers and now trail three games to none.
No NBA team has ever come back from that deficit, and to do so, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka gave his team a stern message.
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Head coach Ime Udoka of the Houston Rockets talks to Tari Eason during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Toyota Center in Houston on April 24, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
“Grow up,” he said, was his message to the team after the loss. “You’re not that young anymore. You’ve been to the playoffs once and we’ve seen every situation right now.”
Even with Kevin Durant out for a second game in this series — this time with a sprained ankle after missing Game 1 with a knee injury — the Rockets were in position to close out the game after LeBron James had consecutive turnovers that Houston turned into a 101-95 lead.
That’s when everything went wrong for the Rockets. Marcus Smart was knocked down on a 3-point attempt with 25 seconds left in the fourth after a Houston turnover and made all three free throws to get the Lakers within three.
Houston Rockets Head Coach Ime Udoka reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on April 24, 2026. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
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James then stole the ball from Reed Sheppard and his 3-pointer tied it at 101-all with 13 seconds left in the fourth.
Los Angeles then outscored Houston 11–7 in overtime to take a 112–108 victory.
The 41-year-old James, who put up 29 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, played more than 45 minutes on Friday night. He said with leading scorers Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out with injuries, he has no choice but to do what he can.
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers gestures during the pregame ritual before the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on April 24, 2026. (Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
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That feeling will have to run through the Rockets locker room if they want to make history.
