Rockets Won't Die: Houston Forces Game 6 After Nearly Blowing It Again

The Houston Rockets had a flashback moment Wednesday night in Game 5. Same scenario as Game 3: up five points with under a minute left, the game right there for the taking. But this time, they didn't fold. They held on. Beat the Lakers 99-93. Stayed alive. Made it 3-2 series, and forced a Game 6.

Two games ago, costly turnovers by young stars Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard torpedoed a late-game lead. They lost that one when it mattered most. Wednesday? Different story. Sheppard kept the Lakers at arm's length down the stretch. With under 3 minutes left and Houston up three, he hit a midrange shot, then stripped LeBron James for a dunk to push the lead to seven. That's not folding. That's learning.

The Growth Moment the Rockets Needed

"I think it was just a learning moment. And I feel like we grew up. We're growing up together," Smith said after the win. "And it's just good to see Reed bounce back from the mistake, me bounce back from the mistake. A week ago, we folded and lost the game, you know what I'm saying? So I think that's a step in the right direction."

Sheppard echoed that resilience. "We definitely remember what happened in Game 3, and we didn't want to let that happen again," he said.

Historic Long Shot, But the Path Still Exists

Houston is now the 16th NBA team ever to force a Game 6 after trailing 3-0 in a best-of-seven series. The first since the Boston Celtics did it against Miami in 2023. Those Celtics lost in seven. No team has actually won a series from down 3-0.

But the Rockets are still here. Still fighting. Rockets coach Ime Udoka summed it up simply: "We knew we were going to battle."

Game 6 is coming. The season stays alive for at least one more night.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.