Despite Kevin Durant’s absence, Rockets pull off rare playoff feat only 15 teams have achieved

The Houston Rockets entered Crypto.com Arena in Game 5 without their best player, facing the Los Angeles Lakers, who had dominated most of this first-round series. It seems like Houston finally learned how to stop JJ Redick's squad that has no Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves for now.

They escaped with a narrow 99-93 victory to force Game 6 back in Houston. Despite a strong performance from LeBron James on Wednesday, the Lakers couldn't close it out at home.

It was the Rockets' most complete performance of the series. Jabari Smith Jr. led all scorers with 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Alperen Sengun ran the offense with 14 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. 

The young core that carried Houston without Kevin Durant did it again, though nobody expected them to make it happen on the road in an elimination game. And following the victory, they are closer to making history.

Houston joins rare company in NBA playoff history

The Rockets became the 16th NBA team to force a Game 6 after facing a 0-3 series deficit. Historically, only 15 teams have extended such a series to a sixth game, with four proceeding to a Game 7. 

However, all four ultimately lost the series, as no team in NBA history has ever completed the "reverse sweep." Houston’s run is especially weird because they were the favorites from the start, while the underdog Lakers are still playing without their two best scorers.

Then the Rockets took a serious hit, losing KD for most of the series. He only played in Game 2, where he posted 23 points but also committed nine turnovers before injuring his left ankle, forcing him to miss Games 3, 4, and 5.

And with ESPN's Shams Charania confirming Durant will also miss Game 6 per ESPN, the Rockets will again face the Lakers without their franchise player in a must-win home game.

The Lakers' bench has struggled to close the door on Houston. After a hot start where he averaged over 21 points in the first three games, Luke Kennard went cold, scoring just one point in Game 5. This slump allowed Ime Udoka’s squad to stay alive despite the Lakers having multiple chances to end the series. 

Game 6 tips off Friday in Houston at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Rockets haven't made history yet but they're closer than any team has been in years.

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