Rockets vs. Lakers Game 5 live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs first-round series
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Rockets vs. Lakers Game 5 live score, updates, highlights from 2026 NBA playoffs first-round series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
As LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers move closer to advancing to the next round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, there's still the goal of one game at a time. The NBA great knows nothing is guaranteed in his 23rd season, but this time around it seems different.
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Los Angeles can take the series in five on Wednesday. The Rockets defeated the Lakers 115-96 on Monday night. Amen Thompson led Houston with 23 points to shift the series back to the City of Angels.
Rockets vs. Lakers: 2026 NBA Playoffs Game 5 score
In a rare moment, James was asked about the long-standing GOAT debate with Michael Jordan. While the two are considered as the Mount Rushmore of the NBA, is there a comparison? The King doesn't believe so.
"I hope I made him proud at least, wearing that No. 23," James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin this week. "I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different. I have been a point-forward/forward-point my whole life. I have always looked for the pass. MJ kind of looked for the shot. Not kind of, he did. He looked for the shot."
James is playing with a "second wind" after the Lakers took a 3-1 lead in the series over the Houston Rockets. The No. 4 vs. No. 5 matchup hasn't lived up to expectations in the Western Conference First Round series. No Luka Doncic, but James is shooting 51.5% and averaging 20.9 points for the Lakers.
On the other end, Kevin Durant has been dealing with a bone bruise that has sidelined him for 2-3 weeks, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The Rockets are still without him in Game 5, which tilts the series towards the Lakers. The Rockets look to stave off elimination on the road. Houston is 29-23 in West play and ranks second, scoring 53.0 points per game in the paint.
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Rockets vs. Lakers live updates, highlights from Game 5 of NBA playoffs
End of 1st Quarter: Lakers 28, Rockets 21
Points off turnovers: LA- 7, Houston-0
1st Quarter- 48.5 seconds Amen Thompson hit a 3-pointer to stop the bleeding for the Rockets 26-18
1st Quarter- 1:06: Streaking layup by LeBron James for the Lakers largest lead 26-15
1st Quarter- 1:41: Austin Reaves heads to the line after being fouled on a 3-pointer. Sinks all three shots for a 24-15 lead.
1st Quarter- 2:09: Austin Reaves layup puts Lakers up 21-15
1st Quarter- 2:50: TV timeout. Lakers lead 19-15. Both teams are starting to settle into the game.
1st Quarter- 3:56: Austin Reaves nails a 3-pointer for his first points of the series. Lakers up 19-13.
AUSTIN REAVES FROM DEEP 🎯
— ESPN (@espn) April 30, 2026
Welcome back 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5Wg90m1O2F
1st Quarter- 4:15: LeBron James missed an ally-oop dunk on one end and comes back with a steal, his 500th in playoff history. Lakers up 16-13.
1st Quarter- 5:34: Austin Reaves in the game. His first action since April 2 after missing nine games.
1st Quarter- 5:39: Lakers take the biggest lead thus far 14-9 over Rockets. A quick 8 points from Marcus Smart
1st Quarter- 7:58: LeBron James with a nice assist to Rui Hachimura for a dunk. Lakers retake the lead 7-6
LeBron James with a bounce pass to Rui Hachimura for the fastbreak dunk (with a replay) pic.twitter.com/URUWDx12cz
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 30, 2026
1st Quarter- 8:48: Both teams are struggling early with the Lakers up 5-4
1st Quarter- 9:33: Smart heads to the line after a foul with Rockets up 4-3
1st Quarter-11:37: Lakers open the game with a 3-0 lead with a triple from Marcus Smart.
After a 20-minute delay Tip-off in Los Angeles
Delayed start for the game
10:18 p.m. ET Cleveland takes 3-2 series leas with 125-120 win
10:17 p.m. ET Cleveland up 125-120 with 2.4 seconds left. Not sure Toronto has enough time.
10:13 p.m. ET- Cleveland up 125-120 with Toronto inbounding 18 seconds left
10:10 p.m. ET- Cleveland up 124-120 with 22.5 seconds left
10:07 p.m. ET- The Cavs and Raptors game has pushed back the start time for the Rockets and Lakers. There's currently 2:01 left in the 4th quarter with Cleveland up 124-116.
Austin Reaves read to go for the Lakers.
Austin Reaves has been upgraded to available tonight vs. HOU for Game 5, the Lakers say. He’ll play for the first time since April 2, recovering from his Grade 2 left oblique strain one day shy of a month.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 30, 2026
Reactions from Rockets vs. Lakers Game 5
Kevin Durant is out for Game 5 against the Lakers, the team announced.
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 29, 2026
Durant missed the past two games because of a sprained left ankle and bone bruise. pic.twitter.com/71AH76bRLN
Austin Reaves arrives ahead of Game 5 vs. the Rockets. He's a gametime decision to return 👀
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 29, 2026
Watch Rockets-Lakers at 10 ET on ESPN and the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/oZ0qd3BehI
How to Watch Houston Rockets (52-30) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (53-29) Game 5 NBA Playoffs
Wednesday, April 29 10 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Lakers lead series 3-1
Lakers vs. Rockets Game 5 will be broadcast by ABC on ESPN and will stream live on the ESPN app.
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