Rockets Still Facing Uphill Battle Following Game 5 Upset Against Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James lost his first home court closeout game in 18 years on Wednesday night.

The Houston Rockets, even without Kevin Durant, defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 99-93 to force a Game 6 on Friday night in Houston.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Durant has already been ruled out for Game 6. That news dropped at a devastating time for the Rockets, who found a way to steal a huge victory in Los Angeles without Durant on the night Austin Reaves made his return to the Lakers.

As the Lakers regain health to support 41-year-old LeBron James, prediction markets are not showing Houston any respect, even fresh off the heels of a quality upset.

On Thursday morning, Kalshi gives the Rockets a 27% probability of winning this series. Without Durant, the Rockets aren’t getting any love to build momentum and attempt a rare 3-1 comeback in the NBA Playoffs.

Even with the series shifting back to Texas, the Lakers have a 73% chance of winning this series. A contract on the Rockets would earn 3.25% interest, as they’re massive underdogs down 3-2 in this series.

The Rockets still find themselves in this deep hole because of Durant. The 37-year-old is dealing with a bone bruise in his left ankle. It’s a separate injury than the tendon bruise that sidelined Durant in Game 1.

In Game 2, he was able to play his lone action in this series. Durant played 41 minutes and scored 23 points in the defeat. But that’s when he suffered this ankle injury, which has had just about 10 days to heal. If a Game 7 is forced, there’s a chance that Durant could return, even though it’ll still be less than two weeks since the initial injury.

Without Durant, Houston’s young core has played well against the Lakers. It’s the youngest starting five to win a game in the history of the NBA Playoffs. Remember, it was Los Angeles that was supposed to be facing an uphil battle due to Reaves and Luka Doncic's injuries during the final week of the NBA season. 

Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson will be tasked with keeping Houston’s series alive on their home floor during Game 6. If they can do it? That at least gives Durant a chance at making a return for Game 7, which would decide this highly-contested first-round series.

If Houston wins Game 6 at home, their probability of winning this series will dramatically increase because of the idea that Durant could potentially make a return for a win-or-go-home matchup on Friday.