Rockets Coach Calls for Maturity After Shocking Playoff Collapse

You’ll soon see if telling a team to “grow up” really does work as a motivational tool. Rockets coach Ime Udoka didn’t hold back after his team suffered a surprising defeat against the Lakers in Game 3, losing 112-108 on Friday night and finding themselves in a 3-0 series deficit after an overtime setback at home.

With under 30 seconds left in regulation, Houston had a six-point lead and the ball, yet somehow let the game slip away.

After the game, Udoka’s message to his players was clear: “Grow up. You’re not that young anymore.” He pointed out that they had playoff experience from a previous year and that they needed to learn from every situation.

Following this latest collapse, the Rockets might be preparing for an early end to their season. This certainly raises some questions not just about the players but also about Udoka’s future with the team.

The coach has faced scrutiny this season for his team’s struggles, and even without Kevin Durant, an early exit is quite damaging for Udoka, who is 48.

It’s notable how candid he is, often criticizing his players openly. Some coaches tend to avoid putting their players on blast, preferring a more diplomatic approach.

But Udoka was straightforward. “It was a terrible mistake,” he remarked about the loss. “I don’t know if it’s just being young, scared of the moment, or what. We were up by six with 30 seconds left…”

The game had taken a dramatic turn when the Rockets were ahead 101-95 with the Lakers surprisingly not applying pressure, but then Jabari Smith Jr. made a baffling turnover. Instead of maintaining possession, he threw passes that inadvertently helped the Lakers, leading to an interception by Marcus Smart.

Smart then drew a foul from Jae’Sean, allowing him to hit three free throws, narrowing the lead to 101-98. Despite still being in control, a subsequent possession saw Reed Shepard get stolen from, and LeBron James nailed a game-tying three-pointer with just 13.6 seconds left.

Udoka expressed frustration over the team’s final offensive play. “We don’t implement what is planned,” he said.

The Lakers capitalized in overtime, taking the lead and ultimately eliminating the Rockets from playoff contention.

A season that began with championship aspirations could now devolve into one of the lowest points in team history, possibly leading to Udoka’s firing. “Finishing with a shutout is obviously our weakness,” he stated. “The quantity and nature of mistakes were unacceptable and need to be addressed.”

Udoka mentioned, “I often talk about age, but it’s not just about being 23 or 22. I’m looking at the experience gained over four or five years in the league and how that should inform their decisions.”