The Houston Rockets cut their first-round series deficit to 3-2 after a 99-93 Game 5 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, marking their second straight victory despite still missing Kevin Durant, who has appeared in just one game this series.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have dropped back-to-back home games after entering the first-round matchup against Houston having lost just once at home since Feb. 24, when they last did, and having Austin Reaves back for Game 5.
The Rockets forced Game 6 behind a strong team-wide effort Wednesday. Jabari Smith Jr. contributed 22 points, Tari Eason added 18, Amen Thompson hit 15 and Alperen Sengun scored 14 points, adding nine rebounds and eight assists.
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However, according to ESPN, the Rockets will need to keep fighting without their main man, as Durant will not play in Game 6 due to the ankle injury that has sidelined him for most of the series. His upcoming absence will mark his fourth consecutive game missed with a bone bruise in his left ankle.
Durant missed Game 1 and suffered the injury late in Game 2 after scoring 23 points in 41 minutes. According to ESPN's sources talking to Shams Charania, "Durant's injury generally carries a minimum two-week timetable for returning to play."
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Following Wednesday's win, Houston has extended their series for a second time after trailing 3-0. Only four teams in NBA history have forced a Game 7 from that position, but none have ever pulled off the full comeback.
“We put ourselves in a bad position, but we can still make history and come back one game at a time,” Sengun said after the Game 5 win. “Play at home, come back here, just do the same thing we’re doing.”
Game 6 is set for Friday at 9:30 p.m. in Houston, with a potential Game 7 scheduled for Sunday in Los Angeles.
