Rockets stars Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr. took shots at the Lakers’ older roster, highlighting Houston’s youth and recovery edge ahead of Game 5 against LeBron James and company.
The starting guard, who has been sidelined along with Luka Doncic since April 2, is questionable as the team looks to close out the playoff series vs. the Rockets.
The Houston Rockets earned a 115-96 Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, forcing a Game 5 for the playoff series. Although Houston needs to string together three more wins to advance to the next round, it sounds like Alperen Sengun and the club are confident heading into the next contest. While […] The post Alperen Sengun’s Game 5 warning shot to Lakers promises a war appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets are still battling for a place in the Western Conference Semifinals. L.A. holds a 3-1 series lead after dropping Game 4 in blowout fashion in Houston. The winner of the series will go on to face Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the dominant Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder secured their […]
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James became the first player in NBA history to make 3,000 career playoff field goals. James accomplished the feat with his second basket of Game 4 against the Houston Rockets. James has a sizable lead on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2,356) and Michael Jordan (2,188) for most-made playoff field goals and will […]
Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their first loss of the playoffs with a blowout Game 4 defeat against the Houston Rockets. The Lakers are still in firm control of the series, up 3-1 as things shift back to Los Angeles for Game 5, but the team would love to get some good […] The post Lakers rumors: Austin Reaves set to return vs. Rockets. What about Luka Doncic? appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Phoenix Suns in a first-round sweep Monday, winning Game 4 by a 131-122 final. Oklahoma City has now won 12 consecutive first-round games, sweeping the opening round in each of the past three postseasons. The Thunder advance to face either the Houston Rockets or Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals. The Thunder are currently -115 favorites to win the 2026 NBA championship, which puts their probability at 53.5 percent Shai Gilgeous-Al...
In this crazy season, Game 5 is a must-win for the Lakers. Why, you might be asking. They have a 3-1 series lead over the Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. They’re going to have multiple chances to clinch. They’re firmly in control. Think again. Nothing has gone as expected for the Lakers this...
Lakers guards Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard were both fined for a verbal spat with the referees on the court immediately following L.A.'s 115-96 Game 4 loss to the Houston Rockets, the NBA announced Monday.
NBAThe Rockets get a bigger name and a better fit while the Clippers get a young star to build their team around.
Turnovers have been a talking point for the Lakers throughout their first-round series vs. the Rockets, and it remains an issue even with L.A. holding a 3-1 lead. The Lakers committed 23 turnovers in Sunday’s Game 4 loss, which Houston converted into 30 points. Through four games, L.A. has been charged with 80 total turnovers […] The post Lakers aim to fix turnover issue: ‘Majority are mental’ appeared first on Hoops Wire.
The Oklahoma City Thunder could not have dreamed up of a better start to their title defense in the 2026 NBA playoffs. Heavily favored against the shorthanded Phoenix Suns, the Thunder scarcely made any mistakes on their way to completing a 4-0 series sweep after claiming a 131-122 victory over the Suns on Monday night […] The post Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder complete sweep on Suns in Game 4 appeared first on ClutchPoints.
There was a general sense of frustration and disappointment surrounding the Houston Rockets after their painful collapse back on Friday night in a 112-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, as he’s done all year long, was not afraid to put his players […] The post Draymond Green cautions Rockets HC Ime Udoka’s blame game coaching tactics appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Houston Rockets (52-30, fifth in the Western Conference) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29, fourth in the Western Conference) Los Angeles; Wednesday, 10 p.m. EDT LINE: Lakers -2.5; over/under is 208.5 WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Lakers lead series 3-1 BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Lakers look to clinch the Western Conference first round over the Houston Rockets in game five. The Rockets defeated the Lakers 115-96 in the last meeting on Monday. Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 23 points, and ...
Even before the Thunder could make it out of the first round, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was already making preparations for his potential opponents in the next.
The Los Angeles Lakers got beaten fair and square by the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their first-round series, with LA suffering its first defeat of the 2026 NBA playoffs in a 115-96 loss. While the Lakers are still in a commanding position to say the least, as they are bringing a 3-1 series […] The post Lakers’ Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard hit with hefty fines for Game 4 comments appeared first on ClutchPoints.
NBAThe OKC Thunder have done the best job in the postseason so far after eliminating the Phoenix Suns in four games as they prepare for a second-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers or Houston Rockets.
The Thunder — who have a 12-0 record in the first round over the last three seasons — will face the winner of the Lakers-Rockets series in the Western Conference semifinals.
Turnovers have plagued the Lakers all playoffs against the Rockets but never more than in Game 4 on Sunday.
HOUSTON — To see the Lakers struggle offensively as much as they did in Sunday’s Game 4 loss to the Rockets wasn’t surprising. As coach JJ Redick reminded reporters, the...