The Houston Rockets spoiled the Los Angeles Lakers’ first chance to finish their first-round series, winning 99-93 in Game 5 on April 29, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The defeat snapped LeBron James’ run of 16 consecutive home victories in potential playoff clinchers, the longest such streak in NBA history, according to ESPN Insights. The last time James lost a closeout opportunity on his own floor was in 2008, when the Cleveland Cavaliers fell 88-87 to the Washington Wizards in the first round.
James recorded 34 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists on 9-of-20 shooting, but the Lakers could not overcome the Rockets, who were without injured star Kevin Durant. Los Angeles had welcomed back guard Austin Reaves, the team’s second-leading scorer, from injury before the contest.
In 2008, James shot 8-for-21 in that home defeat to Washington, a near match to his Game 5 line against Houston. The Wizards had been without Gilbert Arenas in that series; the Rockets likewise entered Wednesday missing a marquee scorer.
Game 6 is scheduled for Friday in Houston, where the Lakers will try again to advance. James guided Cleveland to a decisive Game 6 victory the last time he faced this situation in 2008.
After the loss, James dismissed forward Jabari Smith Jr.’s public claim that Houston is “clearly the better team,” saying players should naturally believe in their own squads.
Source: Lakers Nation
