Houston Rockets: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

NBA Notes: Rockets, Alperen Sengun, Lakers, LeBron James, Pistons

The Rockets are still breathing. And now, they’re heading home with real belief. Facing elimination again, Houston beat the Lakers 99-93 in Game 5, trimming the series to 3-2 and forcing a Game 6 back in Texas.

Houston Rockets News / The Dream Shake / April 30

Rockets Win In LA, 99-93

The Rockets are coming home to Houston. Not to start their off season, but to play Game 6 of their first round series with the Lakers. The series is now 3-2 in favor of the Lakers, and of course it’s easy to see a world where they Rockets would be ahead 3-2.

NBA News / Athlon Sports / April 30

NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal Sends Harsh Message After Rockets-Lakers Game 5

Four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal watched as the Los Angeles Lakers tried to close out the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night and book their ticket to the second round.

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Alperen Sengun News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 30

Rockets’ Alperen Sengun adds pressure to Lakers with big statement after Game 5

Failure is the best teacher, as they say. After their terrible loss in Game 3, Alperen Sengun and the Houston Rockets have notched back-to-back wins against the Los Angeles Lakers in their first-round series in the playoffs.

NBA News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest playoff games in NBA history

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NBA News / Field Level Media / April 30

NBA roundup: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.

NBA News / Field Level Media / April 30

Rockets avoid elimination again, force Game 6 vs. Lakers

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

NBA News / NBA on ClutchPoints / April 30

Rockets closer to making NBA history after stunning Lakers in Game 5

The Houston Rockets are inching closer and closer to doing the unthinkable. With Wednesday’s 99-93 road victory, the Houston Rockets have forced their first-round playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers back to Houston for Game 6.

NBA News / Ball Exclusives / April 30

Rockets extend series with critical Game 5 win over Lakers

The Houston Rockets extended their first round series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday with a crucial 99-93 Game 5 victory. Los Angeles benefited from home court advantage early with a strong first quarter in which they went up by as mans as 11 points.

Reed Sheppard News / Yardbarker / April 30

Reed Sheppard helps Rockets survive on LeBron's historic night

Reed Sheppard's clutch play late helps Rockets stave off elimination vs. Lakers on LeBron James' historic night

A historic night from LeBron James and the long-awaited return of Austin Reaves were still not enough to prevent the short-handed Houston Rockets from taking Wednesday's Game 5.

Pistons avoid elimination behind Cade Cunningham's historic performance

Cavs ride hot hand of Dennis Schroder to take pivotal Game 5 vs. Raptors

Lakers get major Luka Doncic update

Skip Bayless calls LeBron James' GOAT case 'laughable'

NBA legend Magic Johnson issues apology to the 76ers

Charles Barkley apologizes for his bad NBA playoff prediction

Los Angeles Lakers News / Yardbarker

The 25 defining moments of LeBron James' career

LeBron's career can't go on forever, can it? If it were to end tomorrow, it would be the greatest run of sustained excellence the league has ever seen.

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 29

Warriors' Draymond Green Calls out Rockets' Tari Eason Once Again

Golden State Warriors superstar defender Draymond Green and Houston Rockets 3-and-D forward Tari Eason have had a rather lengthy history of exchanging words towards one another, usually online or by way of a podcast, in Green's case.

Alperen Sengun News / Athlon Sports / April 29

Alperen Sengun Sends Warning to Lakers Before Game 5

The Houston Rockets forced a Game 5 with a 115–96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Rockets star Alperen Sengun helped the team secure the crucial home win with 19 points and six rebounds.

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NBA News / Athlon Sports / April 29

Final Injury Report for Rockets-Lakers Game 5: Will Austin Reaves, Kevin Durant Play?

The Los Angles Lakers are at home on Wednesday night as they host the Houston Rockets in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. Los Angeles enters Wednesday’s game with a 3-1 series lead after losing on the road to Houston on Sunday night in Game 4.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 29

Rockets Need Consistency From Reserves To Keep Series Alive

The Houston Rockets are still just one game away from potentially being eliminated in the postseason against a Los Angeles Lakers team missing two of their best players.

LeBron James News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 29

Rockets Made History on Defense Against LeBron James

The Houston Rockets’ first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers has not gone as expected whatsoever. Houston was favored entering this matchup

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 29

The Rockets Will Have to Depend on Their Defense Again With No Kevin Durant

Throughout Ime Udoka’s tenure with the Houston Rockets, he sought to give the Rockets a distinct identity. Before his arrival in Houston, the rebuilding Rockets' only identity was a team full of young players still finding their way in the NBA and one that had lost many games.

Houston Rockets News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 29

Although Unpopular, Jabari Smith Jr. is Right to Feel Like Rockets are Better Than Lakers

Heading into Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals matchup between the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.

Reed Sheppard News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 29

Will Reed Sheppard be able to Pick up Where he Left Off for Rockets in Game 5?

Reed Sheppard has been one of the Houston Rockets' major storylines through the 2025-26 season. Drafted third overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sheppard essentially redshirted his rookie season, as he didn't get much opportunity to contribute on a Rockets team with postseason aspirations.

NBA News / Houston Rockets on SI / April 29